US Envoy Witkoff Announces Summit on Gaza Redevelopment Plan
Steve Witkoff, US President Donald Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, announced plans for a summit involving real estate developers and planners from the region to discuss the administration’s proposed redevelopment of Gaza, Bloomberg reports.
The plan, however, is generating significant controversy.
“We’re going to conduct a summit pretty soon with probably the biggest developers in the Middle East region, many of the Arab developers — lots of master planners. I think when people see some of the ideas that come from this, they’re going to be amazed,” Witkoff said at an event in Washington on Tuesday night.
He did not provide specifics regarding the timing or location of the summit.
Witkoff, a longtime friend of President Trump, suggested that the administration believes innovative solutions are necessary for the long-standing Israeli-Palestinian conflict. He also said that several countries have expressed interest in contributing to a “permanent solution” for residents of Gaza, which has been ravaged by conflict.
The announcement comes as Israel attempts to extend a ceasefire with Hamas, the ruling entity in Gaza for nearly two decades, beyond its current expiration date. While Israel prioritizes the release of hostages held by the Palestinian militant group, it is simultaneously preparing for a potential resumption of military action.
President Trump has previously proposed a US-led takeover and redevelopment of Gaza into a “Riviera” of the Middle East, with Gazans being relocated to Arab countries. This proposal has been met with widespread condemnation from Middle Eastern capitals and beyond, with many rejecting the displacement of Palestinians and critics denouncing it as a form of ethnic cleansing and a violation of international law.
Despite the backlash, Witkoff, who plans to return to the Middle East this week, emphasized that the redevelopment plan “we’re not talking about an eviction plan” for Gazans. However, he deemed it “impractical” for them to remain in Gaza during the 10 to 15 years the US government anticipates it will take to properly rebuild the coastal enclave, which he described as a “giant slum” devastated by conflict.
