Steve Witkoff, the special envoy of former U.S. President Donald Trump for the Middle East, has arrived in Israel to discuss ways to end the Gaza crisis, where nearly 22 months of war and acute food shortages have sparked growing international criticism, AFP reported.

Gaza’s Civil Defense Agency reported dozens of Palestinians killed after Israeli soldiers opened fire on a crowd attempting to block a humanitarian convoy — the latest in a series of near-daily incidents in which hungry civilians fall victim to gunfire. The Israeli military confirmed it had used "warning shots" but said it had no information about casualties. A correspondent saw the bodies of shot Palestinians at al-Shifa hospital in Gaza.

Jamil Ashour, who lost a relative in the shooting, told reporters that Israeli soldiers fired after the crowd surged toward the aid trucks. "When people saw looters throwing and scattering food, the starving crowd rushed in, hoping to grab something," he said.

Amid stalled indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas over a ceasefire and hostage release, Witkoff is scheduled to meet Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to discuss the humanitarian situation and “next steps” regarding Gaza. According to Israeli media, he may also visit a U.S.-backed humanitarian organization distributing food in the region.

Witkoff is the lead U.S. representative in the indirect negotiations with Hamas, which collapsed last week after Israel and the U.S. withdrew their delegations from Doha.

Israel is facing mounting international pressure to agree to a ceasefire and allow a large-scale influx of humanitarian aid into famine-stricken Gaza, with Canada being the latest Western country to announce its intention to recognize a Palestinian state.

Although Trump remains one of Israel’s staunchest defenders internationally, even he has begun expressing doubts. Earlier this week, he said he would provide more humanitarian aid to Gaza, warning of a “real famine” — a statement directly contradicting Netanyahu’s claims that reports of starvation are exaggerated.

Experts backed by the UN reported that famine “is already occurring” in Gaza. Images of sick and emaciated children have sparked outrage worldwide, with France, the UK, and now Canada supporting the creation of a Palestinian state.

Sources say Trump is increasingly concerned that his most fervent supporters in the U.S. — the so-called “MAGA base” — are beginning to turn against Israel.

Israel is also under pressure from other traditional allies. German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul is expected to arrive in Jerusalem for talks with Netanyahu and Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar.

Meanwhile, Canadian Prime Minister Mark Carney stated that the growing suffering of civilians in Gaza leaves “no room for delay in coordinated international action in support of peace.” Israel described Canada’s announcement as part of a “distorted campaign of international pressure,” while Trump warned that trade negotiations with Ottawa could be affected by what he called a hasty move to recognize Palestine.

The military conflict in Gaza has lasted nearly 22 months, since Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, 2023, killing 1,219 people, according to official data. Of the 251 Israeli hostages taken at the time, 49 remain in Gaza, with 27 declared dead by the Israeli army.

According to Hamas’s Ministry of Health, Israel’s campaign has killed 60,249 Palestinians to date. UN agencies this week warned that deaths from starvation have already occurred.

In the latest incident, Gaza’s Civil Defense Agency reported that at least 58 people were killed while gathering around a humanitarian convoy in the northern part of the enclave. According to eyewitnesses and a journalist, the trucks entered through Israel’s Zikim checkpoint en route to World Central Kitchen and World Food Programme warehouses in Gaza City. Thousands attempted to stop them before the shooting began.

In a separate statement, the Hamas-led government’s Ministry of Health pleaded with Palestinians not to loot a new humanitarian convoy, warning that it contained medical, not food, supplies.

An additional 32 people were reported killed in Israeli strikes across various parts of Gaza, according to Civil Defense sources. Restrictions on journalist access and the difficult situation on the ground make independent verification of casualty numbers and incident details challenging. | BGNES