The Witkoff ceasefire negotiations collapsed into violence as American aid distribution became a killing field. Thirty Palestinians died when Israeli forces targeted civilians at an American aid site in Rafah, with reports describing Americans telling Palestinians to enter areas where Israeli forces subsequently killed them. Hamas delivered detailed revelations about the failed Witkoff negotiations, while Washington rejected their conditional response.
The massacre prompted Palestinian sources to coin the term "Witkoff Massacre," linking the American envoy's name to the killings. Israel demolished Gaza's only remaining dialysis hospital and expanded military operations to new areas. Yemeni missiles twice forced Ben Gurion Airport closures.
By evening, Egypt and Qatar issued a joint statement resuming their mediation role, while Hamas announced readiness for new negotiations over disputed points. President Abbas and Fatah demanded Hamas exit Gaza politics entirely, escalating Palestinian internal tensions.