U.S. Ambassador to Israel Mike Huckabee expressed skepticism over the likelihood of a Palestinian state emerging from President Donald Trump’s Gaza peace plan, emphasizing that any progress hinges on significant reforms within the Palestinian Authority. In a wide-ranging interview with Haaretz, Huckabee suggested that fundamental shifts in governance, education, and policies toward Israel are prerequisites for meaningful negotiations.
Huckabee addressed the Gaza Humanitarian Fund (GHF), a joint U.S.-Israeli initiative designed to deliver aid without benefiting Hamas, stating he “cannot imagine” it being shut down. He disputed UN reports of casualties near aid distribution centers, claiming that many figures are inflated and primarily sourced from Hamas, though he acknowledged some violence occurred.
On the issue of disarming Hamas, Huckabee offered ambiguous statements. While he insisted Israel would not administer Gaza’s postwar plan, he deflected questions about who would handle Hamas’s disarmament, suggesting that Israel prefers not to take responsibility if others are willing. This contradicts Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu’s assertion that Israel would actively participate in the disarmament process, a point of contention given that Hamas’s military capacity remains a central obstacle in ongoing conflict.
Huckabee stressed that Trump’s plan envisions a “credible pathway to Palestinian self-determination” but requires authentic reforms, including ending payments to terrorists and removing incitement from school curricula. Without these changes, Huckabee argued, meaningful negotiations and recognition of Israel’s security cannot proceed.
Regarding international diplomacy, Huckabee noted his upcoming visit to Egypt aimed at easing tensions with Israel and fostering regional cooperation. He emphasized the U.S. role as a mediator and indicated that postwar stabilization of Gaza would involve international bodies rather than direct Israeli administration, with Arab countries potentially contributing troops to an oversight force.
Huckabee maintained a firm stance on Hamas, blaming the group for prolonging the conflict and citing atrocities against both Israelis and Palestinians. He credited international and U.S. pressure for compelling Hamas to consider disarmament and release hostages, while downplaying the role of French and Saudi initiatives.
On humanitarian aid, Huckabee defended the GHF’s operations, arguing that it is the most efficient mechanism for delivering assistance, criticizing UN oversight, and denying widespread casualties at distribution points. He called for scaling up aid efforts to address the humanitarian crisis while Gaza transitions under the proposed peace plan.
