U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee and Special Envoy Steve Witkoff recently made a high-stakes visit to Gaza, where they evaluated the operations of the U.S.-backed Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF). The visit came amid a volatile and contentious environment, with the U.S. administration and its allies closely monitoring the humanitarian crisis and the role of Hamas in diverting aid supplies. Huckabee and Witkoff emphasized that the GHF’s food distribution program was a critical success, having provided over 100 million meals to Gazans in just two months. This effort, they stated, was a crucial step in addressing the dire conditions for civilians in the region.
During their visit, both officials highlighted the challenges posed by Hamas, which they claimed was actively looting aid trucks and selling the goods on the black market at exorbitant prices. According to Huckabee, even a 4-kilogram bag of sugar, a basic staple, was being sold for as high as $200, a stark contrast to the usual cost. The officials argued that this rampant looting was exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, with many Gazans unable to afford even the most essential goods. They stressed that the GHF’s role in bypassing Hamas control was essential in ensuring that aid actually reached those in need, rather than being siphoned off by armed groups.
The visit also underscored the U.S. administration’s growing concern about the potential for a humanitarian catastrophe in Gaza, with Trump expressing a willingness to take direct action to alleviate suffering. During his recent trip to Scotland, Trump announced that he was preparing a plan to ‘get people fed’ in Gaza, a message that diverged from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s insistence that there was no widespread starvation. Meanwhile, the GHF’s efforts have been a point of contention with the United Nations, which has repeatedly raised concerns about the safety and effectiveness of the organization’s operations. However, the GHF’s leadership has countered that its success in providing food to millions of Gazans is a clear indicator of its effectiveness, even if the international community has been reluctant to recognize the organization’s achievements.
The broader geopolitical tensions surrounding the Gaza crisis have also drawn attention to the role of the U.S. in shaping the response to the humanitarian emergency. While the Trump administration has sought to shift its messaging toward a more direct involvement in resolving the crisis, it has also been criticized for allegedly downplaying Israel’s role in the escalating violence. The visit by Huckabee and Witkoff appears to be part of a larger effort to reframe the narrative around the humanitarian situation, emphasizing the success of U.S.-led initiatives and distancing the administration from international criticism. As the situation in Gaza continues to evolve, the role of organizations like the GHF and the response of global actors such as the UN will remain central to the discourse on the crisis and its resolution.