‘Nothing left’ in Gaza, rebuilding could take 15 years, Trump envoy Witkoff says

There is “almost nothing left” of Gaza and rebuilding the war-ravaged enclave could take 10 to 15 years, US President Donald Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff tells Axios as he wraps up a trip to the region.

“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,” Witkoff tells the news website after visiting Gaza.

His assessment comes days after Trump floated the idea that some Arab nations should get involved with and build “housing at a different location where [Gazans] can maybe live in peace for a change,” an idea flatly rejected by the Arab and Muslim world.

Witkoff tells Axios he has not discussed the idea of moving Palestinians from Gaza with Trump.

A UN damage assessment released this month showed that clearing over 50 million tons of rubble left in the aftermath of Israel’s bombardment could take 21 years and cost up to $1.2 billion.

“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,” Witkoff says.

“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 adds.