White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt confirmed Thursday that Witkoff would be joined by Mike Huckabee, the U.S. ambassador to Israel, during meetings with Palestinians and reviews of aid centers. The delegation plans to brief President Trump following the visit to finalize a revised aid distribution strategy.

The primary focus of the trip is the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, which has operated since May under Israeli oversight. Though established to reform aid flows and prevent alleged Hamas misuse, its methods have faced widespread criticism. Local health authorities report that hundreds of civilians have died in recent weeks while trying to collect food from G.H.F. sites, some of which have been near zones of Israeli military fire.

Hamas Condemns Visit As “Propaganda Show”

The visit has drawn sharp rebuke from Hamas. Senior official Izzat al-Rishq dismissed the initiative, saying, “Witkoff will only see in Gaza what the occupation wants him to see.” He accused the U.S. envoy of aligning with Israeli narratives while ignoring the scale of the humanitarian tragedy. His statement was posted to social media, labeling the trip as an Israeli-orchestrated political performance.

Eyewitnesses and aid workers claim Israeli forces have opened fire near distribution sites, exacerbating the danger. The Israeli military maintains that any use of force involved “warning shots” in response to perceived threats.

Witkoff previously visited Gaza in January, where he reported observing widespread devastation. This return visit is seen as part of the Trump administration’s continued engagement in Gaza relief efforts, although it remains unclear whether Israeli forces will escort the American delegation during their upcoming entry into the strip.