U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff has announced that President Donald Trump will chair a “large meeting” at the White House on Wednesday to discuss what the administration calls a post-war “day-after plan” for Gaza.

In an interview with Fox News, Witkoff claimed the U.S. is working on “a very comprehensive plan” for Gaza’s future, describing it as “robust” and “humanitarian in motive.” He added that Washington believes the war will be “settled one way or another” before the end of the year.

The comments come as U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio prepares to host Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar in Washington on Wednesday, with discussions expected to revolve around the ongoing war on Gaza.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has killed nearly 63,000 Palestinians, the overwhelming majority women and children, according to official figures. The occupation’s relentless bombardment and siege have reduced much of Gaza to rubble, while famine spreads rapidly due to the systematic blockade of food, water, and medicine.

By contrast, the October 7 attack by Hamas resulted in the deaths of nearly 1,200 Israelis and the capture of some 250 hostages — numbers repeatedly cited by Israel and its Western allies to justify the ongoing genocide.

Analysts say Washington’s attempt to discuss Gaza’s “day after” while the bombs are still falling exposes the emptiness of U.S. claims of humanitarian concern. For Palestinians, any real plan for Gaza must begin with an immediate and unconditional ceasefire, lifting of the blockade, reconstruction of the Strip, and accountability for Israeli war crimes.

Human rights groups have warned that without justice and sovereignty, Western “day-after” proposals amount to little more than efforts to repackage Gaza under foreign or Israeli-controlled administration — stripping Palestinians of their right to self-determination.

While the Trump administration emphasizes “humanitarian motives,” it has avoided condemning Israel’s mass killings of civilians, targeted assassinations of journalists and doctors, and the use of starvation as a weapon of war.

For Palestinians, the ongoing U.S. support for Israel’s military campaign makes Washington a full partner in the genocide. (ILKHA)