U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff and President Donald Trump discussed plans for the U.S. to greatly expand its humanitarian aid efforts in Gaza, Axios reported Tuesday, amid criticism that U.S.-Israel-led aid operations have been insufficient. The talks come as UN rapporteurs call for the immediate dismantling of the controversial Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, accusing it of worsening Palestinians’ suffering and undermining international humanitarian law.
The report said the discussions took place in a meeting between Witkoff and Trump on Monday at the White House, adding that Israel supported the increased U.S. role.
Axios cited a U.S. official as saying the Trump administration will "take over" management of the humanitarian effort in Gaza because Israel is not handling it adequately.
U.N. experts on Tuesday called for the immediate dismantling of the GHF, warning that its operations are deepening the suffering of Palestinians and undermining international humanitarian law.
In a statement, the experts said Palestinians are "paying the ultimate price of the international community's legal, political and moral failure" as the death toll in Gaza surpasses 60,000, with over 90% of the population forcibly displaced.
