Egypt Daily News – The U.S. State Department said on Thursday that the plan proposed by Egypt for the reconstruction of Gaza did not meet the expectations of U.S. President Donald Trump, who instead suggested a mass displacement of Palestinians from the war-torn region.
State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce stated in a press conference that the plan proposed by Cairo “does not meet the requirements and nature of what President Trump has requested.”
It clarified: “It does not meet expectations.”
Its remarks came shortly after Steve Witkoff, Trump’s special envoy to the Middle East, provided a more positive assessment of Egypt’s plan without endorsing its details.
Witkoff said in statements to reporters at the White House on Thursday: “We need more discussion on this matter, but it is a good-faith first step by the Egyptians.”
He continued that Trump had succeeded in “encouraging others in the Middle East at the moment to put forward proactive proposals for what we might consider.”
U.S. President Donald Trump had proposed a plan to take control of the Gaza Strip and displace its residents, an idea that sparked widespread condemnation across the world.
Arab leaders sought support for an alternative plan that would finance the reconstruction of Gaza through a trust fund.
In a strongly worded post on social media on Wednesday, Trump warned the people of Gaza that “you are dead” unless the armed Palestinian group Hamas releases the Israeli hostages, as the ceasefire agreement with Israel remains stalled.
Steve Witkoff indicated that Trump’s latest threat might be a preview of joint action against Hamas, stating, “I think there will be some movement, and it could be in cooperation with the Israelis.”
He continued, “It is unclear at this point, but I believe Hamas has the opportunity to act reasonably, do the right thing, and then withdraw—they will not be part of the Palestinian government.”
