Witkoff: Gaza is “Uninhabitable” After Israeli Genocide

Gaza (Quds News Network)- White House envoy Steve Witkoff recently visited Gaza, marking the first US visit to the region in 15 years. In an interview with Axios, Witkoff painted a grim picture of the destruction in Gaza, describing the area as “uninhabitable” following the Israeli genocide and estimating that rebuilding could take 10 to 15 years.
Witkoff, who visited Gaza to inspect the implementation of ceasefire agreements, reported that Gaza has suffered nearly total destruction. “There is almost nothing left of Gaza,” he stated, noting the lack of water and electricity and the dangers posed by unexploded ordnances. He emphasized that it is “very dangerous” to walk through the area, a reality he only fully understood after inspecting it firsthand.
The process of rebuilding Gaza, according to Witkoff, will be a monumental challenge. He estimated that debris removal alone could take five years. Witkoff stressed that a solid plan for reconstruction would not be achievable in five years, but rather over a span of 10 to 15 years.
While aid is entering Gaza and people are returning to northern Gaza in accordance with agreements, Witkoff praised the security arrangements at key corridors, saying they were “working better than expected.” He emphasized the importance of properly executing the current phase of the deal to move forward with reconstruction and other aspects of the agreement.
For the past 15 months, Israel has been carrying out a genocide in Gaza, with full backing from the United States. During this time, Gaza’s infrastructure has been completely obliterated by Israeli airstrikes and ground operations, and more than 50,000 Palestinians have been killed, the majority of whom were women and children. The destruction has been so extensive that entire neighborhoods have been reduced to rubble.
The International Criminal Court (ICC) has issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, citing their roles in the atrocities. Furthermore, the International Court of Justice (ICJ) ruled that Palestinians in Gaza have plausible claims under the Genocide Convention, concluding that they are at real risk of “irreparable damage.” The ICJ called on Israel to take immediate steps to prevent further genocide, but critical issues regarding accountability and international intervention remain unresolved.