Egypt has proposed an international presence in Gaza and the West Bank through UN-backed peacekeeping forces to support Palestinian statehood and ensure a lasting ceasefire. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty discussed this initiative, which awaits UN Security Council consideration, during a meeting focused on Gaza’s rehabilitation. The Arab reconstruction plan for Gaza faces rejection from Israel and the U.S., contrasting with ongoing political negotiations involving Hamas and Israel.
Egypt is advocating for the establishment of an international presence in Gaza and the West Bank, proposing UN-backed peacekeeping forces to facilitate Palestinian statehood and secure a lasting ceasefire. On Monday, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced a proposal for the UN Security Council to consider deploying these forces as a means of advancing towards an independent Palestinian state.
During a meeting in Cairo with foreign ambassadors and representatives of international organizations regarding Gaza’s health sector rehabilitation, Abdelatty referenced this proposal. He articulated the initiative’s specifics, calling for a UNSC resolution to deploy international peacekeeping forces with precise mandates and timelines to ensure the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Although Abdelatty did not outline the current development stage of this proposal, he mentioned that the recent emergency Arab summit on Palestine held in Cairo on March 4 addressed the topic in its final statement. The Egyptian Foreign Ministry underscored that the Arab plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, approved by the Arab Summit, has garnered considerable regional and international support.
Additionally, Egypt is working towards organizing a reconstruction conference in Cairo to secure funding for the plan. Abdelatty reiterated critical prerequisites for the plan’s success, such as maintaining a ceasefire in Gaza, ensuring Palestinian leadership in the reconstruction process, and recognizing Gaza as a part of the Palestinian territories.
He highlighted the necessity for the Palestinian Authority to return to Gaza and manage its affairs effectively under a unified, non-factional committee. Furthermore, Egypt and Jordan have initiated training for Palestinian police forces in preparation for their deployment to Gaza.
The Arab Summit’s reconstruction plan, designed by Egypt, aims to rebuild Gaza over a five-year period with a projected budget of $53 billion, ensuring Palestinians remain on their land. However, both Israel and the United States have rejected this initiative, favoring an alternative plan initially proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which involved displacing Palestinians to neighboring countries.
As a significant development, the first phase of a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel, facilitated by Qatar and Egypt with U.S. assistance, concluded on March 1, 2025. Although the agreement commenced on January 19, progress to the second phase has not yet been achieved due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu seeking to secure additional Israeli prisoner releases without fulfilling the phase’s commitments, particularly the cessation of military operations and withdrawal from Gaza as mandated by Hamas.
In conclusion, Egypt’s proposal for an international presence in Gaza and the West Bank aims to support the establishment of Palestinian statehood and a durable ceasefire. The call for UN-backed peacekeeping forces reflects a broader commitment to humanitarian and political rebuilding measures in the region. Additionally, the ongoing challenges surrounding the reconstruction of Gaza and the status of prisoner exchanges illustrate the complexity of the situation, emphasizing the need for cooperative international efforts.
Original Source: www.palestinechronicle.com
