Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan, criticized by Israel, aims to support Palestinians without displacement. Shin Bet acknowledges failures in preventing Hamas attacks, leading to calls for a national inquiry in Israel. Egypt plans to present the reconstruction initiative to the OIC for approval, promoting an Arab and Islamic approach to humanitarian intervention.
Israel has expressed strong opposition to Egypt’s proposal for the reconstruction of Gaza, which was recently supported at the Arab League summit in Cairo. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty labeled Israel’s criticism as “unacceptable,” condemning the Netanyahu government for its “stubborn and extremist” stance. He emphasized that lasting peace in the region hinges on the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.
Meanwhile, the Shin Bet security agency recognized its shortcomings in preventing Hamas’s recent attacks, admitting it overlooked signs leading to the assault and miscalculated Hamas’s intentions regarding full-scale war. Shin Bet chief Ronen Bar stated that had the agency acted differently before the attacks, the tragedy might have been averted and took personal responsibility for the failures.
This admission came just days after the Israeli military released an investigation, revealing its gross underestimation of Hamas’s capabilities and confirming its failure to ensure civilian safety during the October 7 attack, which is deemed the deadliest day in modern Israeli history. Internally, there are growing calls for a national inquiry into these government failures; however, the political establishment has yet to respond substantively.
In a strategic move, Foreign Minister Abdelatty announced Egypt’s intention to present its reconstruction plan to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for endorsement. An emergency meeting of OIC foreign ministers is scheduled for March 7 in Jeddah, aimed at adopting this initiative which seeks to address urgent relief efforts and full reconstruction of Gaza without the displacement of Palestinians.
The dynamics surrounding Gaza’s reconstruction have sparked significant political tension, particularly between Israel and Egypt. Egypt’s robust defense of its proposal reflects its commitment to Palestinian sovereignty and stability in the region. Simultaneously, internal scrutiny of Israeli security agencies reveals a pressing need for accountability regarding the failures leading to recent violent outbreaks.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
