Washington Eyes Rafah as “Model” for Reconstruction and Governance Without Hamas Rule in Gaza
WASHINGTON D.C: U.S. President Donald Trump’s envoy, Steve Weitkov, is scheduled to embark on a trip to the Middle East next Sunday to follow up on the ceasefire agreement concerning the Gaza Strip.
This upcoming visit will mark his second to the region in a week, following his participation in indirect negotiations between Israel and Hamas in Sharm el-Sheikh last weekend, and subsequent visits to Israel and Gaza. An American envoy familiar with the potential itinerary confirmed that the multi-stop trip may include Egypt, Israel, and Gaza.
A key component of Weitkov’s mission will be to address the progress of the international force being established under the Trump administration’s peace plan. According to a report by Israeli Channel 12, preparations for the deployment of this force in parts of Gaza are underway.
The deployment is intended to facilitate the continued withdrawal of the Israeli army from the area as part of the phased implementation of the ceasefire agreement. The International Stabilization Force (ISF) is a proposed multinational security deployment that aims to ensure long-term stability and demilitarization in the territory.
The Channel 12 report also highlighted the Trump administration’s ambitious goals for post-conflict Gaza. Washington is reportedly “seeking to begin the reconstruction process in areas outside Hamas control in Gaza, especially the city of Rafah on the border with Egypt.”
The U.S. administration is hopeful that Rafah, a major city in the south of the Strip, “will become a model for the Gaza Strip without Hamas rule,” signaling a long-term strategy for transitional governance and reconstruction that excludes the militant group.
Weitkov’s rapid succession of visits underscores the U.S. commitment to ensuring the stability of the fragile ceasefire and advancing the later phases of the peace plan, which are aimed at securing Gaza’s long-term security and political future.