Donald Trump is expected to approve a new Gaza humanitarian aid plan on Friday after his special envoy visits the besieged enclave, the White House has said.
Press secretary Karoline Leavitt said US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will enter Gaza today to witness the “hear firsthand about this dire situation on the ground”.
The two held a "very productive" meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials to discuss urgent humanitarian assistance for Gaza.
At least 111 people have been killed, including 91 aid-seekers, in the last 24 hours ending Thursday, Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry said.
The toll is expected to rise further as many of those killed or wounded were brought to isolated, smaller hospitals in northern Gaza and have not yet been counted.
Since the war began, the ministry has recorded 156 deaths from starvation and malnutrition, most of them in recent weeks, including at least 90 children.
The death toll in Gaza has now reached more than 60,000, according to local officials.
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Gaza-Israel latest: Key points
- White House says Trump envoy Witkoff to travel to Gaza on Friday
- Trump demands Hamas surrender and release the hostages
- Trump's envoy meets Netanyahu for Gaza aid
- Palestinians waiting for food killed in firing
- Canada joins UK and France in plans to support Palestinian statehood
Arab nations tell Hamas to ‘disarm’ and end rule of Gaza after Starmer ultimatum
05:30
,
Shweta Sharma
Arab nations have taken the unprecedented step of telling Hamas to lay down its arms and surrender control of Gaza.
Qatar, Saudi Arabia and Egypt called for the terrorist group to “disarm” and disband. It is the first time these countries have condemned Hamas and demanded it play no part in the future of Palestine.
The landmark shift comes after Sir Keir Starmer issued Israel with an ultimatum, pledging to recognise Palestine if Benjamin Netanyahu’s administration fails to take steps to end the war in Gaza by September.
The three Arab countries joined 14 other nations, including Britain and France, in calling for the disbandment of the group.
At least 91 killed in chaos after firing during aid collection in Gaza
05:15
,
Shweta Sharma
At least 91 Palestinians have been killed and over 600 wounded in the past 24 hours while attempting to access desperately needed humanitarian aid, the Gaza health ministry said on Thursday.
The toll includes 54 people who were killed near the Zikim crossing in northern Gaza while waiting for food on Wednesday.
Officials warned that the death toll is likely to rise further, as many of the wounded were taken to isolated, poorly equipped hospitals in the north that are struggling to function amid ongoing shortages and destruction.
Israel’s military acknowledged that its forces had fired warning shots as crowds gathered around aid trucks, but said it had no knowledge of injuries caused by Israeli fire.
A security official, speaking anonymously, claimed the gunfire came from within the crowd during clashes between Palestinians scrambling to secure aid.
Scenes of desperation have continued to unfold in Gaza as dozens of people sprint toward parachuted food parcels dropped from the sky. With land routes into Gaza effectively sealed, aid organisations have increasingly resorted to air drops, but the deliveries have triggered chaos on the ground.
Stampedes and skirmishes have erupted around the drops, as starving civilians jostle, scream, and fight for the limited supplies.
“I went and my children prayed that I'd return with food. They haven't eaten or drank anything for two days,” said Eslam al-Telbany, a displaced woman from Jabaliya, who was carrying a sack of flour and a bottle of cooking oil when she was attacked and bitten in the chaos. She dropped the aid and returned home empty-handed.
Trump expresses frustration over Gaza aid efforts: 'People are very hungry'
04:45
,
Shweta Sharma
US president Donald Trump voiced concern over the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza, calling the situation “terrible” and questioning the effectiveness of US aid efforts.
His comments came as he was questioned on whether “ what's taking place in Gaza is a genocide”.
"It's terrible what's occurring there. It's a terrible thing. People are very hungry," Mr Trump told reporters. "You know, the United States gave $60m for food and it's a shame, because I don't see the results of it. And we gave it to people that in theory are watching over it fairly closely. We wanted Israel to watch over it."
Mr Trump’s remarks come as his envoys, special envoy Steve Witkoff and Ambassador Mike Huckabee, continue their visit to the region.
REPORTER: Marjorie Taylor Greene has said that what's taking place in Gaza is a genocide?
— Aaron Rupar (@atrupar) July 31, 2025
TRUMP: Oh, it's terrible what's occurring there. Yeah. It's a terrible thing. People are very hungry. You know, the US gave $60m for food. And it's a shame because I don't see the results… pic.twitter.com/uQPD8CbImS
White House says Witkoff held 'very productive' meeting with Netanyahu
04:30
,
Shweta Sharma
The White House said on Thursday that special envoy Steve Witkoff and ambassador Mike Huckabee held a "very productive" meeting with Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu and senior officials to discuss urgent humanitarian assistance for Gaza.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said the meeting focused on accelerating food and aid delivery to the besieged Palestinian enclave.
“President Trump is a humanitarian with a big heart, and that’s why he sent Special Envoy Steve Witkoff to the region in an effort to save lives and end this crisis,” Ms Leavitt said.
According to the statement, Mr Witkoff and Mr Huckabee are scheduled to enter Gaza on Friday to inspect existing distribution sites, coordinate further aid delivery, and speak directly with local residents to assess the scale of the humanitarian crisis.
Their visit comes amid growing international concern over widespread hunger and deteriorating living conditions in Gaza, where aid agencies have repeatedly warned of severe access restrictions.
Comment: Is Keir Starmer already U-turning on Palestine?
04:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
The statement Keir Starmer made on Tuesday announcing the government’s intention to recognise the state of Palestine sounded as if it had been drafted and re-drafted so many times that no one thought to check if it still made grammatical or logical sense.
Hence the initial confusion: did this mean Britain will recognise Palestine or not? The statement said the government would do so at the United Nations General Assembly in September “unless…” the Israeli government did four things. But one of the conditions listed was a commitment to a two-state solution, something to which Benjamin Netanyahu would never agree.
So it seemed clear that, whatever the deliberate ambiguities of the rest of the statement, recognition would be going ahead in September. It was a victory for those members of the cabinet who had been pushing for it – David Lammy, Shabana Mahmood, Yvette Cooper, Wes Streeting and others – with the support of the silent majority of Labour MPs.
The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul writes:
The history of the two-state solution
03:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Conflict occurred in British-ruled Palestine between Arabs and Jews who had migrated to the area, seeking a national home as they fled antisemitic persecution in Europe and citing biblical ties to the land throughout centuries in exile.
In 1947, the United Nations agreed a plan partitioning Palestine into Arab and Jewish states with international rule over Jerusalem. Jewish leaders accepted the plan, which gave them 56% of the land. The Arab League rejected it.
The state of Israel was declared on 14 May 1948. A day later, five Arab states attacked. The war ended with Israel controlling 77% of the territory.
Some 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes, ending up in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria as well as in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
In a 1967 war, Israel captured the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, from Jordan and Gaza from Egypt, securing control of all territory from the Mediterranean to the Jordan valley.
Although 147 of the 193 UN member states already recognise Palestine as a state, it is not itself a UN member, meaning most Palestinians are not recognised by the world body as citizens of any state.
Mapped | Israeli settlements in the West Bank
02:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Watch | American nurse’s emotional plea for Trump’s envoy to come and see Gaza devastation with his own eyes
01:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Why not enough food is reaching people in Gaza even after Israel eased its blockade
Thursday 31 July 2025 23:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
What would recognition of Palestine as a state mean for refugees?
Thursday 31 July 2025 23:00
,
Jabed Ahmed
Sir Vincent Fean, a former British consul general to Jerusalem and now a trustee of the charity Britain Palestine Project, explained to The Independent that recognition of Palestine as a state would mean that if Palestinian passports were issued, they would subsequently be recognised by the UK as passports of a state.
However, Sir Vincent said Palestinian statehood would not affect the UK’s refugee system.
“Does it impact the tally of refugees coming to the UK? No,” he said. This is because he expects the visa regime the UK currently has with Palestine – where travel is only allowed between the two after a successful visa application – would continue.
He added that Palestinian statehood “wouldn’t particularly change the right of return for Palestinians to their homeland”. He said this was a “long-standing right”, although it would require negotiation with Israel.
Nearly half of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in Gaza suffering severe malnutrition, warns charity
Thursday 31 July 2025 22:30
,
Jabed Ahmed
Nearly half of pregnant and breastfeeding mothers in Gaza are suffering from severe malnutrition and are in need of urgent care, a charity has warned.
Trump says Canadian plan to recognize Palestinian state not a deal breaker in trade
Thursday 31 July 2025 22:28
,
Jabed Ahmed
US President Donald Trump said he did not like Canada's plans to recognize the State of Palestine at a meeting of the United Nations in September, but added it was not a deal breaker in trade talks with Ottawa.
US imposes visa sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials
Thursday 31 July 2025 21:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
The US has imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization, accusing them of undermining peace efforts with Israel even as other Western powers moved toward recognition of Palestinian statehood.
The State Department said it would deny visas for travel to the US by those it was targeting, although it did not name any specific individuals.
"It is in our national security interests to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace," the State Department said in a statement.
The State Department said the two Palestinian organisations had "taken actions to internationalize" their conflict with Israel, including through the International Criminal Court, and said both had continued "to support terrorism."
The PA and PLO serve as representatives for the Palestinian people and have long pushed for recognition of a Palestinian state by international organizations and foreign nations. The two groups had no immediate comment on the US move.
There are signs of a growing diplomatic divide over Palestinian statehood between Washington and three fellow Group of Seven allies.
A recap of today's events
Thursday 31 July 2025 21:31
,
Jabed Ahmed
- US special envoy Steve Witkoff met Israeli prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu on Thursday in a fresh attempt to revive stalled ceasefire talks and address Gaza’s worsening humanitarian crisis.
- Witkoff is expected to travel to Gaza on Friday to inspect food aid deliveries, before briefing Donald Trump on a final plan to speed up aid to the enclave.
- Shortly after Witkoff’s arrival, Mr Trump wrote on Truth Social: “The fastest way to end the Humanitarian Crises in Gaza is for Hamas to SURRENDER AND RELEASE THE HOSTAGES!!”
- The US also announced sanctions on unnamed Palestinian Authority and PLO officials, accusing them of undermining peace efforts.
- Following the meeting, a senior Israeli official said Israel and Washington were moving towards a plan to free all hostages, disarm Hamas and demilitarise Gaza, while military operations continue.
- Israel has sent a response to Hamas’ latest amendments to a US-backed proposal for a 60-day ceasefire and partial hostage release. Hamas has yet to respond.
- At least 23 Palestinians were reported killed by Israeli fire on Thursday, including 12 people gathered near aid trucks. The Israeli military said it fired only warning shots.
- Gaza health officials say 156 people, mostly children, have died from starvation and malnutrition since the war began.
- Two Israeli ministers backed annexing the West Bank, drawing warnings from Palestinians that this would kill off any prospect of a two-state solution.
- Hamas vowed to keep fighting until “the occupation” ends and a fully sovereign Palestinian state with Jerusalem as its capital is created.
Israel is in danger of becoming isolated, German foreign minister warns
Thursday 31 July 2025 20:53
,
Jabed Ahmed
Germany's Foreign Minister Johann Wadephul has said that Israel was in danger of becoming isolated and Germany was trying to prevent that.
"Israel must always find friends, partners and supporters in the international community. And that is currently in danger in this situation. And if there is one country that has a responsibility to prevent this, then in my view it is Germany," Wadephul told reporters on a trip to Israel.
Thursday 31 July 2025 20:32
,
Jabed Ahmed
Is a two-state solution possible?
Thursday 31 July 2025 19:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
While Israel withdrew settlers and soldiers from Gaza in 2005, settlements expanded in the West Bank and East Jerusalem, their population rising from 250,000 in 1993 to 700,000 three decades later, according to Israeli organisation Peace Now. Palestinians say this undermines the basis of a viable state.
Jewish settlement in the West Bank has accelerated sharply since the start of the Gaza war.
During the Second Intifada two decades ago, Israel also constructed a barrier that it said was intended to stop Palestinian suicide bombers from entering its cities. Palestinians call it a land grab.
The PA led by President Mahmoud Abbas administers islands of West Bank land enveloped by a zone of Israeli control comprising 60% of the territory, including the Jordanian border and the settlements - arrangements set out in the Oslo Accords.
Netanyahu's government is the most right-wing in Israeli history and includes religious nationalists who draw support from settlers. The far-right finance minister, Bezalel Smotrich, has said there is no such thing as a Palestinian people.
Netanyahu said on 7 July he wanted peace with the Palestinians but described any future independent state as a potential platform to destroy Israel, saying control of security must remain with Israel.
Hamas won elections in 2006 and a year later drove forces loyal to Abbas out of Gaza, fragmenting the territories where the Palestinians hope to establish their state.
Hamas and Israel have fought repeated wars since then, culminating in the attacks on communities in southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that ignited the current Gaza war.
The Independent View | Donald Trump must put himself at the forefront of peace-building
Thursday 31 July 2025 19:33
,
Jabed Ahmed
Read the full editorial below:
Israel sharpens travel warning for Israelis in UAE, PM's office says
Thursday 31 July 2025 18:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
The Israeli Prime Minister's office said that the National Security Headquarters has sharpened its travel warning for Israelis staying in the United Arab Emirates, noting "that terrorist organizations are operating with increased intensity these days in efforts to harm Israel".
White House says Trump envoy Witkoff to travel to Gaza on Friday
Thursday 31 July 2025 18:40
,
Jabed Ahmed
US special envoy Steve Witkoff and US ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee will travel to Gaza on Friday to inspect food aid delivery as Witkoff works on a final plan to speed deliveries to the enclave, the White House said.
White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt told reporters the two officials will travel into Gaza to inspect the current food distribution sites and work on a plan to deliver more food there and meet with local Gazans to "hear firsthand about this dire situation on the ground."
Hamas-led factions say Palestinian resistance will not stop until 'occupation' ends
Thursday 31 July 2025 18:24
,
Jabed Ahmed
Hamas said Palestinian resistance will not stop until "the occupation" ends and an independent, fully sovereign state with Jerusalem as its capital is established, in response to "the New York" declaration calling for the group to lay down the arms.
A declaration issued on Tuesday by Saudi Arabia and France, backed by Egypt, Qatar and the Arab League, called for Hamas to disarm and hand over its weapons to the Palestinian Authority, which they say should rule across all Palestinian territories.
Saudi Arabia and France are seeking further global support for the declaration outlining steps towards implementing a two-state solution.
Egypt backs Canada's recognition of Palestine
Thursday 31 July 2025 18:24
,
Jabed Ahmed
In a statement released Thursday, Egypt's government called on other countries that have not yet "recognised the State of Palestine to expedite this step, standing on the right side of history."
Canada's Prime Minister Mark Carney announced on Wednesday that his country will recognise a Palestinian state in September, joining the UK, France and other Western countries in a symbolic statement that is part of a broader global shift against Israel's policies in Gaza.
Comment | Recognising a state of Palestine doesn’t breach international law
Thursday 31 July 2025 18:05
,
Jabed Ahmed
Turkey welcomes steps taken to recognise Palestinian state, Erdogan says
Thursday 31 July 2025 17:29
,
Jabed Ahmed
Turkey's President Tayyip Erdogan has said that he welcomed recent steps taken to recognise a Palestinian state by France, UK and others.
"We find the recent humanitarian reactions coming from Europe, particularly from France and Britain, very valuable. We welcome every step taken toward recognition of the State of Palestine," Mr Erdogan said.
Speaking in Ankara, Mr Erdogan said he had called French President Emmanuel Macron to congratulate him on his decision adding that supporting a two-state solution would be the most effective stance against Israel's policies.
Pictured | Humanitarian aid is airdropped to Palestinians over Zawaida, central Gaza Strip
Thursday 31 July 2025 17:16
,
Jabed Ahmed
Mapped | Israeli settlements in the West Bank
Thursday 31 July 2025 16:59
,
Jabed Ahmed
The history of the two-state solution
Thursday 31 July 2025 16:47
,
Jabed Ahmed
Conflict occurred in British-ruled Palestine between Arabs and Jews who had migrated to the area, seeking a national home as they fled antisemitic persecution in Europe and citing biblical ties to the land throughout centuries in exile.
In 1947, the United Nations agreed a plan partitioning Palestine into Arab and Jewish states with international rule over Jerusalem. Jewish leaders accepted the plan, which gave them 56% of the land. The Arab League rejected it.
The state of Israel was declared on 14 May 1948. A day later, five Arab states attacked. The war ended with Israel controlling 77% of the territory.
Some 700,000 Palestinians fled or were driven from their homes, ending up in Jordan, Lebanon and Syria as well as in the Gaza Strip, the West Bank and East Jerusalem.
In a 1967 war, Israel captured the West Bank, including East Jerusalem, from Jordan and Gaza from Egypt, securing control of all territory from the Mediterranean to the Jordan valley.
Although 147 of the 193 UN member states already recognise Palestine as a state, it is not itself a UN member, meaning most Palestinians are not recognised by the world body as citizens of any state.
Split in MAGA ranks as Marjorie Taylor Greene attacks US funding for Israel
Thursday 31 July 2025 16:31
,
Jabed Ahmed
US Representative Marjorie Taylor Greene has called for an end to American funding of Israel’s military operations, saying she spoke with a Christian pastor from Gaza who described children starving and Christians among the dead and wounded.
In a lengthy statement posted on X, Ms Greene questioned whether “innocent Israeli lives [are] more valuable than innocent Palestinian and Christian lives”, and accused Israel’s government of “systematically cleansing them from the land”.
The Georgia MAGA firebrand said most Americans are “fed up” with the US “fixing the world’s problems” while citizens at home struggle with debt, low social security payments and high costs.
She insisted her stance was “not antisemitic” but a rejection of what she described as decades of “America LAST policies”.
“My full focus is on fixing America’s problems,” Ms Greene wrote, adding she will continue to oppose funding “foreign wars” and prioritise American jobs and families instead.
Portugal makes cautious move towards recognising Palestinian state
Thursday 31 July 2025 16:16
,
Jabed Ahmed
Portugal's centre-right government will consult the main political parties and the President about the potential recognition of a Palestinian state, Prime Minister Luis Montenegro has said.
Unlike neighbouring Spain, whose leftist government recognised Palestinian statehood in May 2024 alongside Ireland and Norway and called on other EU countries to do the same, Portugal has taken a more cautious approach, saying it wanted to work out a common position with other EU countries first.
"The government decided to promote consultations with the president and the political parties represented in parliament with a view to consider the recognition of the Palestinian state in a process that could be concluded ... at the U.N. General Assembly in September," Montenegro said in a statement.
Senate rejects Sanders on weapons for Israel, but opposition grows
Thursday 31 July 2025 15:55
,
Jabed Ahmed
US Senator Bernie Sanders' latest effort to block the sale of US bombs and firearms to Israel was rejected, but the showed growing opposition to the arms sales amid widespread hunger and suffering in Gaza.
"Americans want this to end. They do not want to be complicit in an unfolding famine and deadly civilian massacres," Sanders said.
The independent from Vermont has repeatedly tried to block the sale of offensive weapons to Israel. This time, 27 Democrats — more than half the caucus — voted against selling 20,000 assault rifles, and 24 voted against selling $675 million in bombs.
The tally showed how images of starvation in Gaza are creating a growing schism in Congress, where Israel has traditionally seen overwhelming support.
A recap of today's events
Thursday 31 July 2025 15:47
,
Jabed Ahmed
If you’re just joining us, here’s a quick recap of today’s events:
US Envoy visit:
- President Donald Trump’s special envoy, Steve Witkoff, arrived in Israel to discuss the worsening humanitarian crisis in Gaza and a possible ceasefire.
- It’s his first meeting with Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu since both sides recalled negotiation teams from Qatar last week.
Rising death toll in Gaza:
- At least 91 Palestinians were killed and over 600 wounded in the past 24 hours while trying to get aid, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry.
- This includes 54 people killed near the Zikim crossing on Wednesday.
- The Israeli military claimed Palestinians surrounded aid trucks and that its forces only fired warning shots.
Limited aid into Gaza
- Israel reported 270 trucks of aid entering Gaza on Wednesday, plus 32 pallets airdropped.
- Aid groups say this is far below the 500–600 trucks a day needed.
- Humanitarian organisations warn the “worst-case scenario of famine is currently playing out”.
German foreign minister visit:
- Johann Wadephul arrived in Israel for a two-day trip that will include the West Bank.
- Germany, traditionally a strong Israeli ally, has increased criticism over the humanitarian situation and is pushing for a ceasefire.
US sanctions Palestinian officials:
- The US revoked visas of officials linked to the Palestinian Authority and the PLO, accusing them of inciting violence and undermining peace efforts.
Thursday 31 July 2025 15:29
,
Jabed Ahmed
US and Israel-backed aid distribution system in Gaza has generated ‘bloodbath’, French foreign minister says
Thursday 31 July 2025 15:15
,
Tara Cobham
France's foreign minister said on Thursday a US and Israel-backed aid distribution system in Gaza had generated a "bloodbath" and had to cease activity.
"I want to call for the cessation of the activities of the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, the militarised distribution of humanitarian aid that has generated a bloodbath in distribution lines in Gaza, which is a scandal, which is shameful, and has to stop," Foreign and European Affairs Minister Jean-Noel Barrot told reporters after meeting his Cyprus counterpart in Nicosia.
The UN estimates that Israeli forces have killed more than 1,000 people seeking food since May, most near militarised distribution sites of the GHF, which employs a US logistics firm run by a former CIA officer and armed US veterans. The GHF denies that there have been deadly incidents at its sites, and says the deadliest have been near other aid convoys.
The Israeli military has acknowledged that civilians have been harmed by its gunfire near distribution centres, and says its forces have now received better instructions. Israel accuses Hamas fighters of stealing aid – which the militants deny – and the UN of failing to prevent it. The UN says it has not seen evidence of Hamas diverting much aid. Hamas accuses Israel of causing starvation and using aid as a weapon.
Comment: Is Keir Starmer already U-turning on Palestine?
Thursday 31 July 2025 15:03
,
Tara Cobham
The statement Keir Starmer made on Tuesday announcing the government’s intention to recognise the state of Palestine sounded as if it had been drafted and re-drafted so many times that no one thought to check if it still made grammatical or logical sense.
Hence the initial confusion: did this mean Britain will recognise Palestine or not? The statement said the government would do so at the United Nations General Assembly in September “unless…” the Israeli government did four things. But one of the conditions listed was a commitment to a two-state solution, something to which Benjamin Netanyahu would never agree.
So it seemed clear that, whatever the deliberate ambiguities of the rest of the statement, recognition would be going ahead in September. It was a victory for those members of the cabinet who had been pushing for it – David Lammy, Shabana Mahmood, Yvette Cooper, Wes Streeting and others – with the support of the silent majority of Labour MPs.
The Independent’s chief political commentator John Rentoul writes:
US imposes sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and PLO members
Thursday 31 July 2025 14:52
,
Tara Cobham
The US imposed sanctions on Palestinian Authority officials and members of the Palestine Liberation Organization on Thursday, saying the groups are undermining peace efforts as US officials separately seek to salvage ceasefire talks in Gaza.
The move prevents those targeted from receiving visas to travel to the US, the US State Department said, although it did not list any specific individuals.
"It is in our national security interests to impose consequences and hold the PLO and PA accountable for not complying with their commitments and undermining the prospects for peace," the department said in a statement.
The state department said the two Palestinian groups had "taken actions to internationalise its conflict with Israel," including through the International Criminal Court, and said both had continued "to support terrorism."
Germany to respond to any unilateral Israeli moves on Palestine in strongest warning yet
Thursday 31 July 2025 14:42
,
Tara Cobham
Germany's foreign minister has said recognition of a Palestinian state should come at the end of talks on a two-state solution but warned Berlin would respond to any unilateral actions in Germany’s strongest warning to Israel yet.
Johann Wadephul issued the statement on Thursday before heading off to Israel and the Palestinian territories on a trip Berlin has billed as a fact-finding mission amid heightened alarm over starvation in Gaza.
However, as Western nations intensify efforts to exert pressure, critics argue that Germany’s response remains overly cautious, shaped by an enduring sense of historical guilt for the Holocaust and reinforced by pro-Israel sentiment in influential media circles, weakening the West’s collective ability to apply meaningful pressure on Israel.
In his statement, Mr Wadephul reiterated Germany's stance that a sustainable resolution to the Gaza war can only be achieved through a negotiated two-state solution – a Palestinian state co-existing in peace alongside Israel.
"In light of open annexation threats from parts of the Israeli government, a growing number of countries – including many in Europe – are now prepared to recognise a Palestinian state even without a prior negotiation process. The region and the Middle East peace process are therefore at a crossroads," Mr Wadephul said.
"That process must begin now. Should unilateral steps be taken, Germany too will be compelled to respond."
UN brings more food into Gaza but warns volume 'still far from enough'
Thursday 31 July 2025 14:23
,
Tara Cobham
The United Nations and its partners have been able to bring more food into Gaza in the first two days of pauses, according to the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs – but it warned the volume is "still far from enough".
Even with more aid running through Gaza, residents face peril from Israeli forces and Palestinian looters when trying to reach the supplies.
"I have tried several times to grab a sack of flour. The only time I managed to do so, someone with a knife froze me in the street and took it away, threatening to stab me," one man from Deir Al-Balah told Reuters, asking not to be identified.
