An emergency Arab summit in Cairo endorsed Egypt’s reconstruction plan for Gaza, emphasizing the rejection of Palestinian displacement. The summit condemned Israel’s humanitarian aid restrictions and called for international peacekeeping forces. Palestinian leaders affirmed the plan’s importance for national unity and governance, amidst ongoing casualties from Israeli military actions. The plan’s various phases aim to effectively manage Gaza’s recovery.
An emergency Arab summit convened in Cairo on Tuesday, endorsing Egypt’s comprehensive reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip. The final statement of the summit affirmed the integration of Egypt’s proposal, which was developed in coordination with the State of Palestine and other Arab nations, with contributions from the World Bank and the U.N. Development Fund to facilitate the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza.
The summit strongly rejected the displacement of Palestinians from their territories under any circumstances. It designated an Arab legal committee to investigate the classification of such displacement as a potential genocide. Moreover, it condemned Israel’s recent measures to block humanitarian aid and close off essential crossing points, labeling these actions as violations of ceasefire agreements and international humanitarian law.
In addition to addressing the Gaza situation, the final statement criticized Israeli aggression towards Syria and called for immediate international intervention to compel Israel to withdraw its forces. Furthermore, it advocated for Palestinians to have access to the Al-Aqsa Mosque, stressing the importance of preventing any attempts to displace Palestinians from the West Bank.
The summit urged the U.N. Security Council to deploy international peacekeeping forces in both the West Bank and Gaza, aiming to support a political framework conducive to establishing a Palestinian state. It emphasized the critical need to implement the planned phases of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, warning that attempts to displace Palestinians could exacerbate regional conflicts.
Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit noted the summit’s unanimous support for Egypt’s reconstruction plan as the Arab response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposition for relocating Gaza’s population. Aboul Gheit remarked on the committee’s commitment to promoting this Arab initiative worldwide as they await global responses to the plan.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa underscored Gaza’s integral status within the State of Palestine, highlighting the necessity for unity between Gaza and the West Bank. He expressed optimism for the construction plan’s approval at an upcoming meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The proposed reconstruction timeline includes three phases across six months, two years, and two and a half years, respectively, all rejecting any displacement of Palestinians.
Central to the Arab reconstruction plan is the establishment of a transitional Gaza administration committee, which will operate under the Palestinian government for a six-month period. This committee will consist of impartial technocrats aimed at managing Gaza’s recovery effectively. Since October 2023, the ongoing Israeli military offensive has resulted in significant civilian casualties and destruction in Gaza, compounded by recent humanitarian access restrictions enforced by Israel.
As Prime Minister Netanyahu has refused to reopen negotiations, humanitarian operations have been severely affected. Legal actions have also been initiated against Israeli officials for alleged war crimes in the ongoing conflict, with significant implications for the region’s future despite the temporary ceasefire agreement established on January 19.
The Cairo Arab summit has taken a firm stance regarding the reconstruction of Gaza by adopting Egypt’s comprehensive plan. This action reflects a collective Arab rejection of efforts to displace Palestinians and addresses immediate humanitarian concerns. The summit also seeks to advocate for Palestinian rights and unity, while highlighting the need for international oversight in the political process moving forward. As Israel faces mounting legal challenges, the implications for peace and stability in the region remain precarious.
Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com
