Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi announced that Arab leaders have endorsed a counterproposal to Trump’s Gaza plan, which aims to allow Palestinians to remain in the territory. The proposal seeks to reconstruct Gaza by 2030 without displacing its population. Despite Arab support, it remains uncertain whether Israel or the U.S. will accept this new plan. Key discussions included peace proposals and humanitarian concerns amid ongoing conflict.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi announced on Friday that Arab leaders have approved an alternative to President Donald Trump’s Gaza proposal during a summit in Cairo. This counterproposal aims to allow the approximately 2 million Palestinians currently in Gaza to remain in the territory, contrasting sharply with Trump’s suggestion for their resettlement elsewhere. The acceptance of Egypt’s plan by Israel and the United States remains uncertain.
The recent Arab leaders’ conference included high-ranking officials such as the emir of Qatar, the UAE’s vice president, and the Saudi foreign minister, all key allies for any post-war strategy. They discussed efforts to sustain the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which has been a source of instability and uncertainty in the region.
Israel has reacted by advocating for a new U.S. proposal regarding both a ceasefire and the release of hostages captured during Hamas’s October 7 attack. Concurrently, Israel has imposed restrictions on the supply of essential resources to Gaza in hopes of compelling Hamas to accept new terms, leading to widespread human rights concerns regarding the humanitarian situation.
Egypt’s ambitious 112-page plan, valued at $53 billion, envisions the reconstruction of Gaza by 2030 without displacing its population. Key initiatives include clearing rubble from bombardments and establishing temporary housing for residents during reconstruction, promoting sustainable and green living spaces with renewable energy, and revitalizing agricultural land.
Moreover, the plan entails creating necessary infrastructure such as an airport and ports to facilitate trade and travel, a vision that aligns with proposals from the Oslo peace accords. Nonetheless, Hamas would need to relinquish power to an interim administration as part of a broader transformation towards a reformed Palestinian Authority, which faces rejection from both Israel and the U.S.
Speaking at the summit, President el-Sissi emphasized the importance of this plan for safeguarding Palestinian rights. He affirmed that achieving lasting peace hinges on establishing a Palestinian state and urged for a more effective political course in resolving the Palestinian issue according to international standards.
In conclusion, Egypt’s proposal and the supporting endorsement from Arab leaders represents a significant counter to the controversial plans put forward by President Trump for Gaza. The outlined strategy prioritizes the rebuilding of Gaza while maintaining its current population, aiming for a just resolution to the Palestinian issue that recognizes their rights and addresses humanitarian needs. However, its future acceptance by Israel and the United States remains a critical question, and peace in the region continues to hang in the balance.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
