White House envoy Steve Witkoff estimates Gaza’s reconstruction could take over a decade

White House Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff has delivered a stark assessment of the damage in Gaza, suggesting that rebuilding the war-torn enclave could take anywhere between 10 to 15 years. His comments, made in a recent interview, followed a visit to the region to assess the progress of the ceasefire and humanitarian aid efforts.

Witkoff, who was the first U.S. official to visit Gaza in 15 years, described the situation on the ground as “stunning” with the destruction almost complete. “There is almost nothing left of Gaza,” Witkoff told Axios, having personally witnessed the widespread devastation both from the air and from lookout points. “People are moving back to northern Gaza only to find their homes destroyed and uninhabitable, with no water, no electricity.”

The White House envoy noted that the damage caused by 15 months of airstrikes and ground operations would take years to address. Witkoff, a real estate developer by trade, predicted that clearing the debris alone would take five years. The extensive network of tunnels beneath Gaza would require another few years to assess and resolve before any significant rebuilding could begin.

The Biden administration is currently focused on ensuring the continuation of the ceasefire and securing the release of hostages as part of its broader Middle East strategy. As part of the first phase of an agreement between Israel and Hamas, hostages are being exchanged, and aid is entering Gaza, despite significant security challenges. But the White House is already planning ahead for the second phase: Gaza’s reconstruction.

Witkoff warned against unrealistic expectations, countering the notion that Gaza could be rebuilt within five years. “This is not a five-year plan,” he asserted. “It’s a 10 to 15-year rebuilding project.”

The Trump administration had previously floated the controversial idea of relocating Palestinians to Egypt or Jordan temporarily while Gaza is rebuilt. However, both nations rejected the suggestion. Witkoff did not engage in direct discussions with President Trump about the displacement plan but shared that from his inspection of Gaza, it was “uninhabitable” and unsafe for civilians to return.

The United States has been pushing for peace efforts that include a broader regional deal involving Israel, Saudi Arabia, and Iran, with the aim of stabilising the Middle East. In his recent visit, Witkoff met with key leaders, including Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman and Palestinian Authority officials. Despite the difficulties, the envoy remains hopeful about the prospects of continuing negotiations and furthering regional diplomacy.

In his discussions with Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, Witkoff emphasised the importance of maintaining the momentum of the ceasefire, despite critics of the agreement. “We need to finish phase one correctly and then move to phase two,” he said, stressing that the positive effects so far should not be overlooked.

The road to peace and recovery in Gaza remains long and fraught with challenges. For now, the White House remains committed to ensuring that the necessary groundwork for reconstruction is laid, though Witkoff’s remarks underscore the magnitude of the task ahead.