U.S. says envoy headed to region as focus remains on Gaza aid corridor and security for deliveries

The U.S. State Department said on Thursday that Special Envoy Whitkoff is traveling to the Middle East to press for a ceasefire, humanitarian corridors and expanded aid delivery into Gaza, while defending a U.S.-backed distribution approach that officials say has increased the volume of food reaching civilians. Bruce said the administration sees the humanitarian situation in Gaza as the —North Star— of its diplomacy and that the envoyis —heading to the region now.— The spokesperson said the United States is seeking an aid corridor both sides have agreed to and that a corridor would allow multiple entities to deliver assistance without it being hijacked. —We are looking forward to that arrangement and to a possible framework regarding a ceasefire,— Bruce said. Bruce defended the Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, saying the group—success— in getting meals into Gaza shows its approach reduced theft and looting by Hamas, but she acknowledged the operation is imperfect in a war zone. She read a GHF statement expressing sorrow that —more than 30 people were killed while trying to access food from a UN convoy at the Zik—im crossing in Northern Gaza— and said those incidents show the entire aid system is under strain. Bruce repeated figures used in the briefing that distribution centers had delivered —nearly 85,000,000 meals— and earlier referenced —another— U.S. amount of —80,000,000— when discussing prior U.S. assistance; she did not provide a single consolidated dollar total for all U.S. aid in the briefing. On whether more distribution sites could be opened, Bruce said that —if you—re looking at a normal environment—d multiple agencies and organizations could expand deliveries, but that in the current conflict a stable ceasefire will be required for a return to normal humanitarian operations. She said ramping up deliveries can include more sites using GHF—s approach but that broad participation by additional organizations would depend on safety. Bruce repeated U.S. engagement alongside Egypt and Qatar and said the administration hopes for further rapid diplomatic progress. She emphasized that while strongly worded statements from allies are valued, the United States is leading intense diplomatic work on ceasefires and humanitarian access. Discussion-only: reportorial questions raised whether neutral contractors could provide security for aid convoys instead of the Israel Defense Forces; Bruce rejected the premise that IDF forces were deliberately shooting civilians and said she could not speculate on arranging neutral security forces in a war zone. She also declined to confirm operational details about the envoy—s itinerary or whether the corridor would include specific international implementers, saying she had relayed what Secretary Rubio described to her. Direction/assignment: Bruce said the special envoy is en route to the region to continue negotiations; she said U.S. officials are pursuing a humanitarian corridor and further ceasefire negotiations but did not specify commitments by other parties. Formal action: none announced at the briefing. Bruce quoted: —Special Envoy Whitkoff is heading to the region now to the Gaza area— and read part of a Gaza Humanitarian Foundation statement: —We—re deeply saddened by reports that more than 30 people were killed while trying to access food from a UN convoy at the Zik—im crossing in Northern Gaza.— The U.S. position, as stated by Bruce, is that more aid deliveries and distribution sites would be possible with a ceasefire and secure corridors; until then the administration will continue to expand U.S.-backed channels and press for agreed security arrangements. Less-critical details: reporters pressed Bruce on the specifics of which organizations would operate in a corridor, whether additional U.S. money would be provided beyond amounts previously cited, and how the U.S. is assessing GHF—s overall performance; Bruce repeatedly declined to provide operational specifics or financial totals beyond figures referenced in the briefing.