
Washington DC [US], August 27 (ANI): US Special Envoy Steve Witkoff announced that President Donald Trump will hold a “large meeting” at the White House on Wednesday to discuss a comprehensive plan for managing Gaza after the war, Times of Israel reported, citing Fox News. This is the first public acknowledgment of a US strategy for post-war Gaza.
Witkoff told Fox News, “Many people are going to see how robust it is and how well-meaning it is, and it reflects President Trump’s humanitarian motives,” without providing further details. He also reiterated the Trump administration’s opposition to additional partial hostage deals involving Gaza.
Earlier, Trump had supported this position on Truth Social after Hamas accepted an Arab-mediated proposal on August 18, which stipulated that hostages would only be released after the complete dismantling of Hamas. The White House is reviewing the phased hostage deal proposal, according to Times of Israel.
Witkoff attributed delays in reaching a deal to Hamas, alleging the group “slow-played that process” last month. He suggested Hamas only agreed to the deal due to intense pressure from Israel, without specifying if further pressure should be applied.
Meanwhile, Israel has not accepted the proposal and continues its ground operations in Gaza to eliminate Hamas. Since August 6, Israeli attacks have destroyed around 1,000 buildings in Gaza City, killed at least 61 people since dawn Monday, and left hundreds trapped under rubble, according to Gaza’s Civil Defence. Ongoing shelling and blocked access routes have hampered rescue and aid efforts. (ANI)