Trump’s envoy: Gaza reconstruction could take up to 15 years

US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, stated that rebuilding the Gaza Strip could take between 10 to 15 years, describing the situation there as "uninhabitable" due to widespread destruction and the presence of unexploded ordnance across the area.

In remarks reported by Axios, the envoy added that humanitarian aid is entering Gaza as planned and that displaced residents have begun returning to the northern part of the strip, amid ongoing security arrangements along the Netzarim and Philadelphi corridors, which he described as "progressing better than expected."

He emphasized that his message to "Israeli" Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the ministers he met was clear—the need to continue implementing the deal. He also noted that Netanyahu remains committed to the process of recovering detainees.

Regarding Gaza’s future, the envoy stated that he had not discussed with Trump the idea of relocating Palestinians from the strip but stressed that the priority now is to complete and properly implement the first phase of the plan before moving on to the next stages.