Egypt is proposing the establishment of a UN-backed international presence in Gaza and the West Bank to facilitate Palestinian statehood and ensure a ceasefire. The proposal was discussed by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during a meeting with foreign diplomats. The plan includes significant regional support for Gaza’s reconstruction, with attention to maintaining a ceasefire and the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza for governance.
Egypt is advocating for the establishment of an international presence in Gaza and the West Bank to facilitate the creation of an independent Palestinian state and ensure a lasting ceasefire. During a meeting in Cairo, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty proposed that the UN Security Council explore the possibility of deploying peacekeeping forces in these areas, emphasizing which would involve a resolution with defined mandates and timelines.
Abdelatty referenced the proposal while discussing the rehabilitation of Gaza’s health sector and noted that the issue was addressed at the recent emergency Arab summit on Palestine held in Cairo. However, he did not provide specifics on the current status of the proposal’s consideration.
The Egyptian Foreign Ministry further stated that the Arab plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, recently adopted, has garnered notable regional and international support. Egypt is reportedly planning to host a reconstruction conference in Cairo with the aim of securing the necessary funding to implement this plan. Key prerequisites for the plan’s success include maintaining a ceasefire, ensuring Palestinian leadership in reconstruction efforts, and recognizing Gaza as part of Palestinian territories.
Moreover, the foreign minister highlighted the essential return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza for governance through a non-factional committee. Additionally, he mentioned that Egypt and Jordan are collaborating to train Palestinian police forces in anticipation of their deployment in Gaza.
The reconstruction initiative, designed over five years with a budget of $53 billion, aims to revitalize Gaza while ensuring that Palestinians remain in their homeland. In contrast, both Israel and the United States have rejected this plan, favoring an alternative proposed by former President Donald Trump, which involves displacing Palestinians to neighboring states.
As for the ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel, brokered by Qatar and Egypt with U.S. support, the first phase concluded on March 1, 2025, after commencing on January 19. Progress to the second phase has stalled as Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeks the release of additional Israeli prisoners, hesitating to fulfill commitments to cease military operations and withdraw from Gaza, conditions upheld by Hamas.
Egypt has proposed an international presence in Gaza and the West Bank to support the establishment of a Palestinian state and ensure a permanent ceasefire. The Egyptian Foreign Minister’s emphasis on a UN-backed peacekeeping force highlights the country’s commitment to a structured approach to peace. While there is substantial support for Gaza’s reconstruction, contrasting proposals from Israel and the U.S. further complicate the situation. The progress of ceasefire agreements remains contingent on negotiations between Hamas and Israel.
Original Source: www.palestinechronicle.com
