The Arab League, led by Egypt, has proposed a reconstruction plan for Gaza that has been rejected by the U.S. and Israel, citing current uninhabitability. The three-phase plan aims to rebuild housing and infrastructure without displacing residents, and it calls for international support and a stable ceasefire.
Summary: The Arab League, led by Egypt, has proposed a reconstruction plan for Gaza aimed at providing relief and rebuilding without displacing residents. The U.S. and Israel have rejected this idea, citing Gaza’s uninhabitability post-war. The Palestinian populace, including Hamas, has opposed forced evictions, with critics denouncing potential ethnic cleansing. The plan outlines a three-phase reconstruction process, emphasizing an administrative committee of Palestinian technocrats and calling for international support.
Article Body: The Arab League, spearheaded by Egypt, has presented an alternative reconstruction plan for Gaza, criticizing President Trump’s previous proposal that would require displacing over 2 million Palestinian residents. During a recent summit in Cairo, representatives from the 22-nation coalition unanimously adopted the Egyptian initiative, ensuring that no individuals would be forcibly removed during the rebuilding efforts.
However, this plan faced immediate rejection from both the Trump administration and Israel. The White House reiterated that the current conditions in Gaza, following a protracted 15-month conflict, rendered the area uninhabitable. Many Palestinians expressed vehement opposition to any form of forced relocation, arguing it could lead to ethnic cleansing.
The Arab proposal was also supported by Hamas, although they have not indicated a willingness to disarm, a critical stipulation for Israel’s participation. The Israeli Foreign Ministry dismissed the Egyptian initiative, emphasizing its reliance on the Palestinian Authority and UNRWA, organizations Israel accuses of corruption.
Israel has historically contended that Arab nations utilize Palestinians as pawns against them, reiterating support for Trump’s path forward as a genuine chance for Gazans to exercise free choice. According to National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes, the reality of Gaza’s conditions poses challenges that the Arab plan does not address. Egypt’s President el-Sissi asserted during the summit that the moment had arrived for a just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
The Egyptian plan comprises three main phases aimed at long-term reconstruction. The first phase would focus on critical relief and the establishment of 200,000 temporary housing units, anticipated to cost $3 billion. The subsequent phase aims to build 200,000 permanent units and restore essential infrastructure, requiring an estimated $20 billion over two years.
The final phase forecasts the construction of an additional 200,000 permanent homes, along with enhancements to seaports and an airport, costing roughly $30 billion. An independent Palestinian technocrat committee is proposed to govern Gaza temporarily before the Palestinian Authority reestablishes control. This strategy, however, hinges on the establishment of a lasting ceasefire, which remains elusive given Israel’s stringent regulations on Gaza.
Egypt is advocating for international financial support for the proposed $53 billion plan, as addressed by President el-Sissi at the summit. He urged nations to participate in an upcoming reconstruction conference aimed at improving living conditions for Palestinians. The summit’s leaders also called for United Nations peacekeepers to ensure security and reiterated the significance of UNRWA in aiding Palestinian refugees.
In conclusion, the alternative reconstruction plan for Gaza spearheaded by Egypt seeks to rebuild the enclave while ensuring the safety and rights of its residents. The immediate rejection from the U.S. and Israel signifies ongoing tensions, as the feasibility of the proposal depends on various factors, including a stable ceasefire and international support. The comprehensive three-phase strategy highlights the urgent necessity for humanitarian relief and infrastructure development while ensuring Palestinian governance.
Original Source: www.cbsnews.com
