US Special ME Envoy to soon leave post after three months in office
2 Min Read
David Satterfield is set to leave his position after a three-month tenure, prompting questions about the trajectory of US diplomacy in the region.
-
Formerly US Deputy Assistant Secretary of State, David Satterfield, at the Lebanese foreign ministry in Beirut, Lebanon, Tuesday, May 28, 2019. (AP)
US Special Envoy for Middle East Humanitarian Issues David Satterfield will leave his post in the coming weeks, three months after being appointed, the Huffington Post reported on Saturday, citing sources.
On October 15, 2023, Satterfield assumed the role of special envoy, tasked with guiding US diplomacy to promptly tackle the humanitarian crisis in Gaza, as stated by the US State Department upon his appointment.
The newspaper did not furnish details regarding the potential reasons behind Satterfield's contemplated resignation. However, it noted that his three-month tenure had faced substantial criticism.
The diplomat had earlier allegedly proposed relocating Gaza Strip residents to Egypt, a suggestion met with significant opposition and subsequently disowned by US authorities. Furthermore, the humanitarian conditions for Gaza residents reportedly worsened during Satterfield's tenure in office.
The early departure is striking amid the ongoing Israeli aggression on the Gaza Strip and the unprecedented unfolding of events in the region. On that note, some were skeptical of Satterfield’s work, noting how his time in office saw a significant collapse in the conditions for Gazans as well as a continued Israeli bombardment of the Palestinians.
Read more: Yemen prepares to face US, UK's 'imminent' aggression
