Egypt has drafted a plan for Gaza aiming to replace Hamas with interim governing bodies controlled by Arab and Western states. This proposal suggests establishing a Governance Assistance Mission to manage humanitarian efforts but lacks detailed strategies for financial responsibility and governance. The plan rejects external imposition of control and emphasizes Palestinian-led decision-making, though its acceptance by Arab leaders and financing remain uncertain.
Egypt has proposed a new plan for Gaza, aiming to replace Hamas with interim governance bodies overseen by Arab states and Western nations. This draft, to be presented at an Arab League summit, does not clarify whether the plan would take effect before or after a permanent peace agreement. The ongoing conflict following the October 2023 attacks raises the question of who will govern Gaza, which remains unresolved in current negotiations.
Hamas has rejected any proposals that are imposed externally and insists that Palestinians must determine their governance’s future. The Egyptian framework, which excludes Hamas, aims to establish a Governance Assistance Mission to manage humanitarian aid and initiate reconstruction, without directly confronting the potential power of Hamas. A clear statement in the draft establishes that significant international funding for Gaza’s rebuilding is contingent on Hamas no longer controlling local governance.
For nearly a month, Egypt, Jordan, and Gulf Arab nations have been developing strategies to challenge President Donald Trump’s controversial plan, which proposes significant displacement of Gazan Palestinians. This Egyptian proposal, characterized as a leading option among Arab states, needs broad support from regional leaders.
The draft does not outline specific details about governance or reconstruction costs, nor how to address circumstances in which Hamas may resist disarmament. Additionally, the proposal envisages an International Stabilization Force primarily composed of Arab nations to secure the territory, with a steering board managing security and governance.
The absence of mention regarding future elections raises questions about democratic processes under the proposed interim governance. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has been identified as ultimately responsible for Gaza’s administration, despite its dwindling support among the populace.
With funding for Gaza’s estimated $53 billion reconstruction not clarified, the draft suggests the establishment of a fund supported by Arab states should the plan be accepted. The UAE, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia may be pivotal in the financing of this reconstruction, particularly as they regard Hamas as a security threat and might refrain from funding until Hamas’s influence diminishes.
The Egyptian draft plan for Gaza seeks to replace Hamas governance with structures led by Arab and Western nations to facilitate humanitarian aid and reconstruction. It outlines the need for an interim governance mission while bypassing significant issues such as financial commitments and the governance role of the Palestinian Authority. The acceptance and support of this plan by Arab leaders and potential funding from Gulf nations remain critical for its implementation. Hamas’s rejection of imposed external governance proposals indicates ongoing tensions and the necessity for Palestinian involvement in future decisions regarding Gaza’s administration, highlighting the complexity of the region’s political landscape.
Original Source: www.arabnews.pk
