Witkoff says he discussed demilitarizing Hamas during Doha meet with Arab leaders

Asked whether the US is talking to specific countries about taking in Palestinians from Gaza, US special envoy to the Mideast Steve Witkoff avoids answering directly, saying the Trump administration is “exploring all alternatives and options that lead to a better life for Gazans.”

In the past, Witkoff and US President Donald Trump have pushed for Egypt and Jordan to take in Palestinians, though both countries have vehemently rejected the idea and have instead backed an Arab plan for the post-war management of Gaza that would allow Palestinians to remain in the Strip while it is being rebuilt.

Offering a similar update on the hostage negotiations as the one he gave on an earlier interview with CNN, Witkoff tells CBS’s “Face the Nation” that Hamas’s response to his bridge proposal was “not encouraging.”

During his visit to Doha on Wednesday to participate in hostage talks, Witkoff also met with top officials from Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Palestinian Authority. He says the summit lasted seven and a half hours and discussed a final peace resolution for Gaza in which Hamas would be demilitarized, “which must happen — that’s a red line for the Israelis.”

The terror group has rejected this demand to date, but has privately told Arab mediators that it is prepared to give up governing control of Gaza, two senior Arab diplomats have told The Times of Israel.

While in Doha, Witkoff also put forward a bridge proposal to extend the ongoing ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.

“Hamas came up with their own construct, which essentially disavowed what we discussed and to my mind that was a pretty poor ending,” Witkoff says. “I hope they reconsider because the alternative is not so good for them,” he adds.