Arab leaders have endorsed Egypt’s $53 billion plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. The initiative includes a multi-phase approach focusing on housing, infrastructure, and international cooperation, receiving backing from the UN and EU. However, Israeli demands for Hamas disarmament pose challenges to the ceasefire and peace efforts in the region.
In Cairo, Arab leaders have unanimously backed an Egyptian initiative designed for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, as announced by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi. During the summit’s conclusion, he detailed a proposed five-year plan estimated to cost $53 billion, emphasizing that a lasting peace requires a Palestinian state. President al-Sissi stated, “There will be no real peace without establishing a Palestinian state.”
For Israel to agree to a ceasefire, it has demanded Hamas disarmament, which the group has deemed unacceptable. The Israeli Foreign Ministry criticized the Cairo discussions for not addressing the aftermath of the recent conflict initiated by Hamas’s attacks on October 7, 2023.
The reconstruction plan includes a six-month initial phase focused on debris removal and temporary housing, costing approximately $3 billion. Over the next two years, the first full phase aims to construct 200,000 new housing units, followed by another 200,000 units in the subsequent stage. By 2030, the initiative anticipates accommodating up to three million people with new infrastructure such as an airport, industrial zones, and parks.
President al-Sissi called for international backing of the reconstruction plan, receiving endorsements from both the United Nations and the European Union. UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres expressed strong support for the Arab-led initiative, stating, “The UN stands ready to fully cooperate in this endeavor.” Meanwhile, EU Council President Antonio Costa highlighted the hopeful prospects for Palestinians arising from the plan.
Support for the plan also came from prominent figures, including Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa, who praised Egypt’s efforts to solidify Middle Eastern ties while addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza. Conversely, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa described Trump’s proposals regarding Gaza as “a very huge crime that cannot happen.”
Although financing the reconstruction will require substantial contributions from affluent Gulf nations, including the UAE and Saudi Arabia, both remain opposed to Hamas. Despite this, Hamas responded positively to the Egyptian initiative, emphasizing the need for an Arab-led solution to alleviate the humanitarian crisis caused by the occupation.
The true extent of the destruction in Gaza remains uncertain, although the UN estimates that approximately 70% of structures have been damaged or destroyed, with tens of millions of tons of rubble littering the region. The recent Arab summit was convened partly to respond to US President Trump’s controversial proposal to develop Gaza after displacing Palestinian residents.
President al-Sissi maintained optimism, stating that he believes President Trump can contribute to peace in the area while also expressing that the issues surrounding the Palestinian crisis must be addressed collaboratively to mitigate future tensions.
The extraordinary Arab League summit in Cairo concluded with unanimous support for Egypt’s ambitious reconstruction plan for Gaza, underscoring the necessity of a Palestinian state for lasting peace. Despite challenges and demands from Israel, including Hamas disarmament, the initiative has received international backing from significant entities like the UN and EU. The plan’s success hinges on collaboration and substantial financial commitments from Gulf states to address the extensive devastation caused by recent conflicts in Gaza.
Original Source: www.dw.com
