Arab ministers plan to travel to Washington with a reconstruction proposal for Gaza that avoids displacing Palestinians. Following Trump’s controversial expulsion suggestion, a Cairo summit is set for March 4 to discuss this initiative. The proposal aims to address governance, Palestinian Authority reform, and potential peacekeeping forces, while ensuring national security for Jordan and Egypt. Egyptian officials estimate reconstruction could be achieved in three years but acknowledge significant further steps and resources are necessary for full restoration.
Arab foreign ministers are poised to travel to Washington within weeks to present a robust proposal aimed at rebuilding Gaza without displacing its Palestinian residents, according to sources from Jordan. This initiative follows US President Donald Trump’s controversial suggestion earlier this month to expel 2.1 million Palestinians from Gaza, a plan that sparked widespread outrage across the Middle East and met with firm rejections from regional leaders.
In anticipation of a broader summit in Cairo scheduled for March 4, Arab leaders are developing a comprehensive “road map” addressing the Gaza situation. Top diplomats will subsequently travel to the United States to present their proposal, ensuring it is carefully structured before it is submitted to the Trump administration.
The proposal aims not only to outline a reconstruction plan for Gaza but also to tackle critical issues regarding governance post-conflict, the reform of the Palestinian Authority, and the potential deployment of peacekeeping forces in the region. However, the composition of any such force remains uncertain.
Following a significant informal meeting among Arab leaders in Riyadh last week, there was an expressed commitment to a unified approach. Both Jordan and Egypt firmly oppose any plans for the displacement of Palestinians, viewing such actions as threats to national security. A Jordanian official articulated a steadfast position, stating, “Our position is firm and clear and we won’t accept any threat to our national security.”
Officials in Jordan have long cautioned against forced displacements of Palestinians, with the foreign minister previously suggesting that such actions would be perceived as a “declaration of war.” Additionally, there are concerns over potential escalations of violence during the upcoming Holy Month of Ramadan, emphasizing the urgency of these discussions.
Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly recently asserted that he envisioned rebuilding Gaza to an improved state within three years. This optimistic outlook did not include specifics on how this reconstruction would be sustained. For a viable future, many experts project that achieving fundamental services alone will take about three years, while complete rebuilding may require a decade at a substantial financial cost of over $50 billion, with housing needs estimated at $15 billion.
In summary, Arab foreign ministers are preparing to present a comprehensive proposal to the U.S. government aimed at rebuilding Gaza while ensuring the Palestinian population remains in place. Amid widespread discontent over Trump’s earlier suggestions, Jordan and Egypt maintain a firm stance against displacement. Additionally, the reconstruction effort, while ambitious, poses significant financial and logistical challenges, necessitating a careful and collaborative approach among regional leaders.
Original Source: www.cnn.com