US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff speaks to reporters outside the West Wing of the White House in Washington, DC on March 6, 2025. (Photo by Mandel NGAN / AFP)
Washington: A US envoy on Thursday praised Egypt for coming up with a new plan on Gaza, without endorsing details of the proposed alternative to Trump's calls to displace Palestinians en masse.
"We need more discussion about it, but it's a good-faith first step from the Egyptians," Steve Witkoff, Trump's Middle East pointman, told reporters.
Witkoff said Trump had succeeded in "now encouraging other people in the Middle East -- Middle Eastern world -- to present proactive proposals for what we might consider," he said.
Witkoff suggested that the threat may be a preview to joint action against Hamas.
"I think there's going to be some action. It could be jointly with the Israelis," he said.
"It's unclear right now, but I think Hamas has an opportunity to act reasonably, to do what's right, and then to walk out. They're not going to be a part of a government there," he said.