vlog

Skip to content
NOWCAST vlog News at 10pm Weeknights
Watch on Demand
Advertisement

Trump envoy arrives in Israel as Gaza death toll rises for Palestinians seeking aid

Trump envoy arrives in Israel as Gaza death toll rises for Palestinians seeking aid
Desperate and hungry, thousands of Palestinians scramble onto aid trucks that have just entered the Gaza Strip. They grab what they can, anything for the chance to feed themselves and their families, many of whom have gone days without food. This sea of desperation driven by months of Israeli restrictions on aid distribution in Gaza. Amid global outrage, Israel is now reversing course, ceasing fire in parts of Gaza for 10 hours *** day. designated secure routes to allow more aid trucks to flow in, steps humanitarian aid organizations have sought for months. The UN says more than 100 trucks of aid were delivered into Gaza on Sunday. Many more will be needed to even begin to alleviate this crisis as children scrape bits of flour from the beds of those trucks. The World Food Program says 25% of Gaza's 2 million+ population is now experiencing famine-like conditions. Israel also allowing air drops into Gaza for the first time in months. Sending Palestinians running to grab what they can. But as *** rifle is fired into the air, *** reminder that it is often the strongest, like gangs who steal and resell food at higher prices who are first to eat. I didn't get anything, this elderly lady says. I was crushed in the crowd. While some managed to grab *** full box. Others emerge with just *** few items flour, oil, pasta, *** far cry from what they. if enough UN trucks were entering Gaza. This aid is disgraceful. We are not dogs to be made to run after aid. People fought over it, this man says. We'd rather die of hunger with dignity than die in humiliation and filth. Palestinians are also still getting shot and killed while trying to get aid. The Palestinian Health Ministry said 25 people were shot by Israeli forces while trying to get aid during the past 24 hours. The Israeli military said it was not aware of any casualties. He's only 12 years old. What was his fault? This man cries out. He went to get flour to feed little children. His brother survives on sugar water to feel full. morgue. This body is *** testament to an entirely different weapon. Starvation has claimed 20 more lives in Gaza in the last two days, including 10-year-old Noor Abu Saleh. She became like this because of hunger, thirst, and the siege, the siege imposed on us by the Israelis, her uncle shouts. This is *** Palestinian child, he says the world would be outraged if only she had been born. Anywhere else, Jeremy Diamond, CNN Jerusalem. What's your
AP logo
Updated: 12:34 PM CDT Jul 31, 2025
Editorial Standards
Advertisement
Trump envoy arrives in Israel as Gaza death toll rises for Palestinians seeking aid
AP logo
Updated: 12:34 PM CDT Jul 31, 2025
Editorial Standards
U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Thursday to discuss the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, as the death toll of Palestinians waiting for food and other aid continued to climb.At least 91 Palestinians were killed and more than 600 wounded while attempting to get aid in the past 24 hours, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Thursday. This includes 54 people killed while awaiting food in northern Gaza near the Zikim crossing on Wednesday, the ministry said. The toll is expected to rise further as many of those killed or wounded were brought to isolated, undersupplied hospitals in northern Gaza and have not yet been counted.The Israeli military said Palestinians surrounded aid trucks and the Israeli military fired warning shots into the crowd, but reported no awareness of injuries resulting from Israeli fire.A security official who spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military regulations said the gunfire came from within the crowd and resulted from altercations between Palestinians attempting to access aid.A hungry scramble for fallen foodScenes of desperation and chaos played out again on Thursday as scores of Palestinians ran toward food aid dropped from the air in Zawaida, a city in central Gaza. Aid providers have turned to the skies as border crossings remain closed amid severe food insecurity across the Gaza Strip.The drops have set off stampedes and skirmishes as hungry crowds scream, fight and jostle for the parcels.Eslam al-Telbany, a displaced woman from Jabalia, said she was carrying a bottle of cooking oil and a sack of flour when she was attacked and bitten, ultimately dropping the items and returning home without aid."I went and my children prayed that I'd return with food. They haven't eaten or drank anything for two days," she said as she wept.Ahmed al-Khatib said someone stole a bag of flour from him, and he broke a tooth in the struggle.Meanwhile, Rana Attia, another displaced woman, said people felt more dignified receiving text messages telling them where to collect aid rather than randomly chasing falling parcels under the scorching heat."We don't want them to help us that way," she said.Aid trickles into GazaDespite the airdropped parcels, the amount getting into Gaza remains far lower than the 500 to 600 trucks per day that aid organizations say are needed.The Israeli defense body in charge of coordinating humanitarian aid in Gaza said 270 trucks of aid entered Gaza on Wednesday, and 32 pallets of aid were airdropped into the Strip.Under heavy international pressure, Israel announced a series of measures over the weekend to facilitate the entry of more international aid to Gaza. The international community has heaped criticism on Israel over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. International organizations said that Gaza has been on the brink of famine for the past two years, but that recent developments, including a complete blockade on aid for 2 1/2 months, mean that the "worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in Gaza."Criticism of Israel in Gaza comes from staunch alliesGerman Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrived in Israel on Thursday on a two-day trip that will also take him to the Israeli-occupied West Bank.Germany, traditionally a staunch ally of Israel, has been increasingly critical recently of Israel's actions in Gaza. It has insisted that Israel must do more to increase aid supplies and pushed for a ceasefire.Berlin hasn't joined major allies France, Britain, and Canada in saying it will recognize a Palestinian state in September. But in a statement ahead of his departure Thursday, Wadephul underlined Germany's position that a two-state solution is "the only way" to ensure a future in peace and security for people on both sides."For Germany, the recognition of a Palestinian state stands rather at the end of the process. But such a process must begin now. Germany will not move from this aim," Wadephul said.A diplomatic pushTrump's special envoy Steve Witkoff also arrived in Israel on Thursday afternoon, expected to speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the humanitarian situation and a possible ceasefire, according to an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.This is the first meeting between Witkoff and Netanyahu since both Israel and the U.S. called their negotiation teams home from Qatar one week ago. Witkoff said at the time that Hamas "shows a lack of desire" to reach a truce."The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Thursday morning.The war started when Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. They still hold 50 hostages, including around 20 believed to be alive. Most of the others have been released in ceasefires or other deals.Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Its count doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians. The ministry operates under the Hamas government. The U.N. and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties.__ Fatma Khaled in Cairo, Sam Metz in Jerusalem and Imad Isseid in Ramallah, the West Bank, contributed reporting.

U.S. President Donald Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff arrived in Israel on Thursday to discuss the worsening humanitarian situation in Gaza, as the death toll of Palestinians waiting for food and other aid continued to climb.

At least 91 Palestinians were killed and more than 600 wounded while attempting to get aid in the past 24 hours, the Gaza Health Ministry said on Thursday. This includes 54 people killed while awaiting food in northern Gaza near the Zikim crossing on Wednesday, the ministry said. The toll is expected to rise further as many of those killed or wounded were brought to isolated, undersupplied hospitals in northern Gaza and have not yet been counted.

Advertisement

The Israeli military said Palestinians surrounded aid trucks and the Israeli military fired warning shots into the crowd, but reported no awareness of injuries resulting from Israeli fire.

A security official who spoke on the condition of anonymity in line with military regulations said the gunfire came from within the crowd and resulted from altercations between Palestinians attempting to access aid.

A hungry scramble for fallen food

Scenes of desperation and chaos played out again on Thursday as scores of Palestinians ran toward food aid dropped from the air in Zawaida, a city in central Gaza. Aid providers have turned to the skies as border crossings remain closed amid severe food insecurity across the Gaza Strip.

The drops have set off stampedes and skirmishes as hungry crowds scream, fight and jostle for the parcels.

Eslam al-Telbany, a displaced woman from Jabalia, said she was carrying a bottle of cooking oil and a sack of flour when she was attacked and bitten, ultimately dropping the items and returning home without aid.

"I went and my children prayed that I'd return with food. They haven't eaten or drank anything for two days," she said as she wept.

Ahmed al-Khatib said someone stole a bag of flour from him, and he broke a tooth in the struggle.

Meanwhile, Rana Attia, another displaced woman, said people felt more dignified receiving text messages telling them where to collect aid rather than randomly chasing falling parcels under the scorching heat.

"We don't want them to help us that way," she said.

Aid trickles into Gaza

Despite the airdropped parcels, the amount getting into Gaza remains far lower than the 500 to 600 trucks per day that aid organizations say are needed.

The Israeli defense body in charge of coordinating humanitarian aid in Gaza said 270 trucks of aid entered Gaza on Wednesday, and 32 pallets of aid were airdropped into the Strip.

Under heavy international pressure, Israel announced a series of measures over the weekend to facilitate the entry of more international aid to Gaza. The international community has heaped criticism on Israel over the deteriorating humanitarian situation in Gaza. International organizations said that Gaza has been on the brink of famine for the past two years, but that recent developments, including a complete blockade on aid for 2 1/2 months, mean that the "worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out in Gaza."

Criticism of Israel in Gaza comes from staunch allies

German Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul arrived in Israel on Thursday on a two-day trip that will also take him to the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

Germany, traditionally a staunch ally of Israel, has been increasingly critical recently of Israel's actions in Gaza. It has insisted that Israel must do more to increase aid supplies and pushed for a ceasefire.

Berlin hasn't joined major allies France, Britain, and Canada in saying it will recognize a Palestinian state in September. But in a statement ahead of his departure Thursday, Wadephul underlined Germany's position that a two-state solution is "the only way" to ensure a future in peace and security for people on both sides.

"For Germany, the recognition of a Palestinian state stands rather at the end of the process. But such a process must begin now. Germany will not move from this aim," Wadephul said.

A diplomatic push

Trump's special envoy Steve Witkoff also arrived in Israel on Thursday afternoon, expected to speak with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu about the humanitarian situation and a possible ceasefire, according to an official who spoke on the condition of anonymity to discuss sensitive matters.

This is the first meeting between Witkoff and Netanyahu since both Israel and the U.S. called their negotiation teams home from Qatar one week ago. Witkoff said at the time that Hamas "shows a lack of desire" to reach a truce.

"The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!!" Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform Thursday morning.

The war started when Hamas attacked southern Israel on Oct. 7, 2023, killing around 1,200 people and abducting 251 others. They still hold 50 hostages, including around 20 believed to be alive. Most of the others have been released in ceasefires or other deals.

Israel's retaliatory offensive has killed more than 60,000 Palestinians, according to Gaza's Health Ministry. Its count doesn't distinguish between militants and civilians. The ministry operates under the Hamas government. The U.N. and other international organizations see it as the most reliable source of data on casualties.

__

Fatma Khaled in Cairo, Sam Metz in Jerusalem and Imad Isseid in Ramallah, the West Bank, contributed reporting.

Weather Information

FEELS LIKE