President Donald Trump’s top Middle East advisor is engaging in phase two of ceasefire negotiations between Israel and this week.
Steve Witkoff, a longtime friend of Trump’s and now his Special Envoy to the Middle East, is heading to Qatar, Egypt, Israel, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia for ceasefire and hostage negotiation talks.
He said that a major part of the second phase is to ensure that Hamas ‘physically’ leaves Gaza – the Palestinian territory where the terrorist group has been operating as the de facto government.
Another priority Witkoff detailed on Sunday morning is to ensure the release of Edan Alexander, a U.S. citizen still in Hamas captivity.
Asked where Hamas would go if they were driven out of Gaza, Witkoff told CBS host Margaret Brennan: ‘I think the devil is in the details and we’ve had discussions around it.’
‘I’m not at liberty to have that specific discussion today, but we’ve got some ideas, and that will be part of the negotiation,’ he added in an interview on Brennan’s show Face the Nation.
Trump has talked about the U.S. helping redevelop war torn Gaza and turning it into a desirable destination – but he has cast doubt over whether Palestinians would be welcomed back to their home after fleeing to surrounding countries amid the conflict.
Middle East Envoy Steve Witkoff is heading to the region this week for phase two of ceasefire and hostage release negotiations between Israel and Hamas. He outlined the priority to ensure Hamas ‘physically’ leaves Gaza
When asked about Palestinians who fled Gaza returning once it was safe, Witkoff noted the 10-15-year timeline for rebuilding, but said: ‘I’m not sure that anyone has a problem… with people returning’
Witkoff, when asked whether the president supports Palestinians’ return to Gaza, cited the administration’s timeline for reconstruction of the Gaza strip in 15-to-20 years.
‘Level-setting the facts suggests that nobody can really live there in a safe environment for probably at least 15 years,’ Witkoff said.
He added: ‘I’m not sure that anyone has a problem… with people returning.’
Hamas terrorists invaded Israel October 7, 2023 and engaged in the largest single-day mass murder of Jewish people since the Holocaust.
The invasion sparked war that went for more than a year before a ceasefire was reached once Trump was reelected for a second term.
Trump vowed when he got into office he would bring an end to the Israeli-Hamas conflict – as well as the war between Russia and Ukraine.
He claims that neither war would have sparked if he were president for a second consecutive term instead of Joe Biden getting elected in 2020.
Witkoff detailed the priority is ‘front and center’ to ensure during negotiations the release of Edan Alexander, a U.S. citizen still in Hamas captivity
