Steve Witkoff Discusses Trump Proposal for Gaza Reconstruction and Future Stability
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff discussed President Trump's proposal for Gaza's future, asserting its uninhabitability for a decade and highlighting the need for improved living conditions for Palestinians.
Steve Witkoff, the U.S. special envoy to the Middle East, stated that Gaza will be uninhabitable for at least 10 to 15 years as reconstruction talks progress amid a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
"I think everybody wants to see peace in the region," Witkoff commented during a Tuesday interview on Hannity. "And peace in the region means a better life for the Palestinians. A better life is not necessarily tied to the physical space that you're in today. A better life is about better opportunity, better financial conditions, better aspirations for you and your family."
He emphasized that a positive change in conditions cannot happen if people are living in dangerous, unstable environments with the constant threat of violence.
During a joint news conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, President Donald Trump suggested that the United States could "take over" the Gaza Strip, level it, and eventually rebuild it. "I do see a long-term ownership position," Trump remarked, adding that it would bring significant stability to the region.
Trump stated, "Everybody I've spoken to loves the idea of the United States owning that piece of land, developing and creating thousands of jobs with something that will be magnificent."
Furthermore, he has proposed relocating Palestinians to nearby Egypt and Jordan, but both nations have rejected those proposals.
In a statement, the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's Foreign Ministry echoed the importance of establishing a Palestinian state before diplomatic relations with Israel can be established.
Witkoff elaborated that Trump aims to infuse Palestinians with "more hope" for a better future, suggesting a shift from the longstanding ineffective methods employed for resolution in the region.
Netanyahu also indicated that Trump's Gaza proposal could alter the course of history, asserting that the U.S. president envisions a new future for the area plagued by conflict.
