Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi declared that Arab leaders have supported a reconstruction plan for Gaza, proposed as an alternative to Trump’s plan to depopulate the territory. The $53 billion initiative focuses on rebuilding without removing the Palestinian population. Key summit attendees included leaders from Qatar and the UAE, as well as U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres. Uncertainty remains regarding acceptance of this plan by Israel and the U.S.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi announced that Arab leaders have approved a postwar plan for the Gaza Strip, aimed at supporting its population of approximately 2 million Palestinians. During a recent summit in Cairo, leaders from various Arab states endorsed this alternative to President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal that called for Gaza’s depopulation in favor of redevelopment into a tourist destination. The acceptance of the Egyptian plan by Israel or the United States remains uncertain.
The Cairo summit included key figures such as the Emir of Qatar and the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, with discussions centered on the uncertain continuation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Israel currently favors an alternative proposal for maintaining the ceasefire and securing the release of hostages taken during Hamas’s attack on October 7, 2023. Israel’s restrictions on supplies entering Gaza have been met with widespread criticism from human rights groups.
The Egyptian plan, which requires an investment of $53 billion, aims to rebuild Gaza by 2030 while keeping its residents in place. An initial phase would involve clearing explosives and rubble from the extensive damage caused by Israel’s military actions. Temporary housing units are to be established for displaced residents during reconstruction, utilizing rubble to expand land along the Mediterranean coast.
Future provisions of the proposal outline the redevelopment of urban areas into sustainable communities and the establishment of essential infrastructure, including an airport and commercial port. This initiative, while ambitious, may face challenges given Israel’s exclusion of the Palestinian Authority and Hamas’s reluctance to disarm.
President el-Sissi emphasized the necessity for this plan to uphold the rights of the Palestinian people and called for a comprehensive political process toward a just settlement. An early draft of the statement from the summit proposed a permanent solution for the Palestinian cause but later omitted a suggestion for international peacekeepers in the region.
President Trump previously incited controversy by suggesting resettlement options for Palestinians outside of Gaza, which was broadly rejected by Arab leaders and human rights advocates. The European Union reaffirmed its commitment to a two-state solution, expressing readiness to support Egypt’s reconstruction plan. Observers noted that this summit is integral to Egypt’s strategy in advocating for a viable alternative to Trump’s vision for Gaza.
In conclusion, the recent Cairo summit saw Arab leaders endorse Egypt’s reconstruction plan for Gaza as an alternative to President Trump’s controversial proposal. While the plan focuses on rebuilding the territory without displacing its population, its acceptance hinges on the responses from Israel and the United States. The discussions highlighted the urgency for a comprehensive political solution to the Palestinian issue, with international support noted as crucial for any effective resolution.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
