US Envoy Witkoff did not meet UN officials during West Asia visit
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UN spokesperson Farhan Haq confirmed that US special envoy Steven Witkoff did not meet with any UN political or humanitarian representatives during his visit to West Asia, which included a stop in the Gaza Strip.
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This handout photo from US Embassy in occupied al-Quds shows White House special envoy Steve Witkoff, center, and US Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee, center left, visiting a food distribution site run by the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, an Israeli and US-backed organization, in the Gaza Strip, Friday, Aug. 1, 2025 (US Embassy al-Quds via AP)
During his recent West Asia journey, US special envoy Steven Witkoff held no meetings with United Nations officials, UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq confirmed.
"To my knowledge, he did not have discussions with anyone from our political or humanitarian departments. I verified with all relevant offices and agencies, and none reported any meetings," Haq said during a press briefing.
Earlier that day, Witkoff disclosed spending more than five hours within the Gaza Strip. Together with US Ambassador to "Israel" Mike Huckabee, Witkoff examined a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation (GHF) distribution facility in the Morag corridor, located north of Rafah. He interacted with Palestinian locals to evaluate ground-level situations and develop approaches for enhancing aid distribution.
This morning I joined @SEPeaceMissions Steve Witkoff for a visit to Gaza to learn the truth about @GHFUpdates aid sites. We received briefings from @IDF and spoke to folks on the ground. GHF delivers more than one million meals a day, an incredible feat! pic.twitter.com/GyVK5cwNgZ
— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@USAmbIsrael) August 1, 2025
Controversial visit
Witkoff's visit drew condemnation from local and international stakeholders. Palestinian locals characterized the visit as a publicity stunt, challenging its authentic humanitarian purpose. Gaza resident Louay Mahmoud remarked to the BBC: "Steve Witkoff will not observe the starvation, only the story that Israel desires him to see."
French Foreign Minister Jean-Noel Barrot similarly denounced the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, demanding "the termination of operations" of the GHF, which he characterized as "the weaponized provision of humanitarian assistance that has created carnage in distribution queues in Gaza."
The United Nations' decision to avoid meeting with Witkoff demonstrates its wider opposition to the US- and "Israeli"-supported GHF approach, which numerous international observers consider a breach of humanitarian standards.
Witkoff's meeting with Netanyahu
On July 31, he had a two-hour discussion with "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in al-Quds, resulting in a modification of US-Israeli policy concerning hostage negotiations. Both sides allegedly rejected gradual agreements in favor of a complete deal requiring the release of all remaining captives in return for the complete disarmament of the Palestinian resistance and total demilitarization in the Gaza Strip.
The visit also prepared the groundwork for a $30 million US assistance package to Gaza and expected diplomatic involvement with Russia. President Donald Trump declared that Witkoff would journey to Russia after his Israeli visit as part of an extensive pressure initiative designed to achieve a Ukraine ceasefire by August 8.
Since the GHF's establishment in May 2025, more than 1,383 Palestinians have been killed and 9,218 wounded while seeking assistance, per the Palestinian Ministry of Health in Gaza.
