Egypt plans to present a draft proposal for Gaza at an Arab League summit, countering Trump’s vision that threatens Palestinian presence. The Egyptian initiative suggests interim governance without Hamas, aiming for humanitarian aid and reconstruction. Despite the objective of sidelining Hamas, the plan lacks clarity on governance, funding, and the overall process for Egyptians and regional allies, generating skepticism about its feasibility.
Egypt has proposed a plan for Gaza aimed at countering U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision for the region, which seeks to circumvent control by Hamas. This plan, to be presented at an imminently scheduled Arab League summit, suggests the establishment of governance by interim bodies formed from Arab, Muslim, and Western nations. However, it remains uncertain whether this plan will be initiated preceding or succeeding any final peace agreement following the hostilities ignited by the attacks on October 7, 2023.
Trump’s strategy has drawn outcry from both Palestinians and various Arab nations due to its perceived abandonment of the two-state solution and its controversial implications for the displacement of the Palestinian population within Gaza. Notably absent from the Egyptian proposal is a concrete plan addressing the future governance of Gaza after the conflict, raising concerns about the potential sidelining of Hamas, which has rejected any externally imposed solutions.
The Egyptian initiative advocates for the substitution of Hamas with a Governance Assistance Mission for an unspecified transitional period, tasked with humanitarian aid and the acceleration of Gaza’s recovery post-conflict. The draft outlines a significant assertion that international funding will be contingent on the reduction of Hamas’ influence over local governance.
Drawing support from neighboring Arab states, Egypt’s proposal is considered a leading alternative to Trump’s approach, although regional consensus on the plan’s acceptance remains uncertain. The draft failed to identify who would oversee the governance mission, but it expresses a need for input from Palestinian expertise to expedite Gaza’s recovery.
The plan firmly opposes mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which is viewed as a potential security threat by Arab states. White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes remarked on the importance of collaboration with regional partners in addressing Gaza’s future, despite Trump’s commitment to his original comprehensive reform vision.
Hamas officials, however, assert that only Palestinians should dictate Gaza’s future, dismissing any foreign intervention or imposed frameworks as unacceptable. The Egyptian plan lacks mention of future elections, adding to its ambiguity, and it has not attracted immediate comments from Egyptian or Israeli officials regarding its feasibility.
With Hamas controlling Gaza since 2007, following the ousting of the Palestinian Authority (PA), the latter’s reestablishment remains critical yet challenging. Given the need for a clear and viable governance framework, Palestinian experts are anticipated to play a vital role in advising the PA on Gaza’s administration during the interim phase.
The reconstruction cost of Gaza is projected to exceed $53 billion, and the proposal does not clarify the funding sources, creating speculation about the necessity for Gulf and Arab states to fulfill a significant financial role. The initiative suggests forming a fund through the steering board to collect contributions for these efforts.
In summary, Egypt’s framework reflects a collaborative aspiration from multiple Arab states to counteract Trump’s plan and redirects focus to the need for Palestinian-led governance. However, substantial uncertainties regarding Hamas’s role, funding mechanisms, and overall regional support persist, necessitating careful diplomatic maneuvering.
The Egyptian draft plan for Gaza seeks to establish interim governance to replace Hamas, emphasizing international support and reconstruction efforts. This strategy stands in opposition to Trump’s proposals, highlighting significant regional discontent. However, it does not delineate governance specifics, funding sources, or conflict resolution mechanisms, leaving many critical issues unresolved. The effective implementation of this initiative will depend on negotiation outcomes with various stakeholders, particularly regarding Hamas’s potential disarmament and the extent of international contributions for Gaza’s reconstruction.
Original Source: www.arabnews.com
