Steve Witkoff, President Donald Trump's Middle East envoy, said rebuilding Gaza could take a decade or more, citing widespread destruction following 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas, Axios reported.
"What was inescapable is that there is almost nothing left of Gaza," Witkoff said after concluding a trip to the Middle East. "People are moving north to get back to their homes and see what happened and turn around and leave ... there is no water and no electricity. It is stunning just how much damage occurred there."
The Trump administration aims to maintain the current ceasefire and stabilize Gaza as it pursues broader diplomatic goals, including a potential peace agreement between Saudi Arabia and Israel and negotiations with Iran over its nuclear program.
The administration is overseeing the first phase of a deal between Israel and Hamas to secure hostage releases in exchange for a ceasefire.
Witkoff, the first U.S. official to visit Gaza in 15 years, spent much of his time assessing conditions on the ground. He said aid is entering Gaza as planned, and people are returning to northern areas under the agreement. Security measures at the Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors are "working better than he expected."
"This is why I went to Gaza — to inspect the implementation because it is so important," Witkoff said. "How this happens will influence our ability to get to phase two of the deal."
From his vantage points on the ground, Israeli lookout positions, and a helicopter overflight, Witkoff said the extent of destruction was staggering. He estimated that clearing debris alone could take five years, while evaluating the impact of Hamas' underground tunnel networks on new construction could take several more years. The entire rebuilding process, he said, would take at least a decade.
"There has been this perception we can get to a solid plan for Gaza in five years. But it's impossible. This is a 10- to 15-year rebuilding plan," he said.
His comments follow a proposal floated by Trump earlier in the week to temporarily relocate Palestinian civilians from Gaza to Egypt and Jordan while reconstruction takes place. Both countries publicly rejected the idea, stating they would not participate in the displacement of Palestinians.
Witkoff said he had not discussed the relocation plan with Trump but described conditions in Gaza as "uninhabitable."
"There is nothing left standing. Many unexploded ordnances. It is not safe to walk there. It is very dangerous. I wouldn't have known this without going there and inspecting," he said.
Witkoff left Israel on Thursday, shortly after Hamas released eight hostages as part of the ceasefire agreement, with Israel reciprocating by releasing 110 Palestinian prisoners.
Jim Thomas ✉
Jim Thomas is a writer based in Indiana. He holds a bachelor's degree in Political Science, a law degree from U.I.C. Law School, and has practiced law for more than 20 years.
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