President Trump dispatches Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and US Ambassador Mike Huckabee into Gaza to inspect aid delivery, stop Hamas theft, and ensure American humanitarian aid reaches starving civilians.
US President Donald Trump is sending his top envoys directly into Gaza in a high-stakes bid to break Hamas’s grip on humanitarian aid and get desperately needed food to starving civilians.
In an interview with NBC News on Thursday night, Trump confirmed that Special Envoy Steve Witkoff and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will enter Gaza on Friday to assess the situation on the ground and report back directly to him.
“We want to make sure people get fed,” Trump said, adding that he is eager to hear Witkoff and Huckabee’s firsthand account.
Asked whether he trusts Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to manage US aid in Gaza, Trump replied:
“He’s certainly a competent person,” while stressing his concern that Hamas is stealing aid. “Good management will stop that. Hopefully, the Israelis will provide that.”
White House Push to Overhaul Aid Delivery
White House Press Secretary Karoline Leavitt announced earlier Thursday that Witkoff and Huckabee had a “very productive” meeting with Netanyahu in Jerusalem to map out a new aid delivery plan.
“President Trump is a humanitarian with a big heart,” Leavitt said. “That’s why he sent Special Envoy Witkoff to the region — to save lives and end this crisis.”
On Friday, the two envoys will inspect existing distribution sites in Gaza, meet with local civilians, and develop a final plan to expand food aid. They will brief Trump immediately after their return.
Trump: Hamas Stealing US Food and Funds
Speaking to reporters later in the day, Trump blasted Hamas for seizing US aid meant for civilians.
“It’s terrible what’s occurring there. People are very hungry,” he said. “The United States gave $60 million for food a couple of weeks ago… and I don’t see the results of it. Hamas is taking the money and they’re taking the food.”
Trump noted that no public acknowledgment or thanks had been given for the aid:
“Nobody said anything about it. Nobody said thank you. But I didn’t need a thank you. I just wanted the people to get fed.”
The President made clear that while America will continue financial assistance, future aid will come with tighter controls to prevent diversion by Hamas — with Israel expected to play a central role in monitoring.
With famine warnings mounting, Trump’s move signals a shift from passive funding to active intervention, aiming to cut Hamas out of the aid chain and ensure that US taxpayer money actually reaches the people it is meant to save.
