Egypt’s postwar plan for Gaza, backed by Arab leaders, aims to preserve the local population while rebuilding the territory. The proposal contrasts sharply with Trump’s plan to repurpose Gaza as a tourist destination by resettling its inhabitants. Despite ongoing tensions, the plan envisions significant improvements to infrastructure, sustainable housing, and a shift in local governance away from Hamas.
Arab leaders have endorsed Egypt’s plan for the Gaza Strip, aiming to support the region’s roughly two million Palestinians, in response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal. This plan, announced by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi, was a collective rejection of Trump’s initiative, designed to depopulate Gaza and turn it into a tourism hub. The summit in Cairo, attended by key regional leaders and U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres, highlighted the necessity to uphold Palestinian rights in the reconstruction efforts.
The situation remains tense as Israel has supported a U.S. ceasefire proposal tied to hostage negotiations following Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023. This led to heightened Israeli restrictions on aid to Gaza and a blockade of essential supplies to compel Hamas compliance with the new strategy, raising significant international human rights concerns regarding these actions as violations of international law.
Egypt’s proposed $53 billion reconstruction plan aims for completion by 2030, emphasizing a desire to keep Gaza’s population intact. This initial phase focuses on clearing debris and unexploded ordnance, with future phases proposing sustainable urban development, agricultural revitalization, and the establishment of an airport and ports—progress stalled since the Oslo accords of the 1990s.
The reconstruction efforts necessitate a political shift, with Hamas surrendering power to an independent administration that could eventually cede authority to a reformed Palestinian Authority. Although Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas is involved in negotiations, Israel has resisted any role for this Authority in Gaza’s governance, insisting on Hamas’ disarmament.
El-Sissi addressed the summit, stating, “There will be no true peace without the establishment of the Palestinian state.” He urged the need for a serious and effective political pathway to achieve a lasting resolution to the protracted Palestinian conflict. Israel’s continued security control over territories captured in the 1967 war has conflicted with Palestinian aspirations for statehood.
The gathering of Arab leaders in Cairo signifies a unified front in supporting Egypt’s reconstruction proposal for Gaza, designed to preserve the Palestinian presence in the region. Despite Israel’s inclination towards a different U.S. approach, the emphasis on rebuilding while maintaining Palestinian rights presents a critical alternative amid ongoing tensions. Consequently, Egypt’s plan could potentially reshape Gaza’s future while advocating for a political resolution to the conflict.
Original Source: globalnews.ca
