The Arab League’s Emergency Summit in Cairo endorsed a $53 billion Egyptian plan for Gaza’s reconstruction amid humanitarian crises. The Cairo Declaration calls for a governance committee and reiterates support for a two-state solution while rejecting ethnic cleansing. Hamas views the proposal positively due to potential elections, but it faces implementation challenges, particularly regarding Israeli cooperation and settlement expansion.
On March 4, an Emergency Summit of the Arab League convened to endorse a $53 billion Egyptian initiative aimed at reconstructing Gaza, a response to recent humanitarian challenges following the Israel-Hamas conflict. This summit, held in Cairo, emerged a day after Israel suspended all humanitarian aid to Gaza, marking a critical point in the ongoing crisis in the region. The Cairo Declaration represents a unified Arab strategy for addressing Gaza’s future contingent upon a complete adherence to the ceasefire agreement, especially by Israel.
The Cairo Declaration can be seen as an evolution of the earlier Bahrain Declaration, which called for a committee comprising qualified Gazans to oversee temporary administrative functions in Gaza. This initiative proposes the establishment of a trust fund for recovery projects, alongside pledges of financial, political, and logistical support to facilitate the reconstruction process, underpinned by assessments from the World Bank and the United Nations Development Fund.
Reflecting continuity, the Cairo plan reiterates the Arab League’s call for United Nations peacekeeping forces in Gaza and the West Bank, an approach previously endorsed by Israel. Furthermore, it upholds the two-state solution as a pivotal aspect of resolving the Israeli-Palestinian dispute, consistent with stances detailed in the Arab Peace Initiative of 2002. The declaration stresses the necessity of establishing a Palestinian state based on internationally recognized borders, with East Jerusalem designated as its capital.
A significant point within the Cairo Declaration is its stance on Palestinian governance, advocating for unification of Palestinian factions under the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), while not explicitly calling for Hamas’s removal. This approach has drawn criticism from Israel and the United States, who view the lack of reference to Hamas as problematic. The proposed interim administration aims to ensure governance stability until the Palestinian Authority can assume control, ultimately leading to legislative and presidential elections.
Hamas has expressed favorable views towards the Declaration and its reconstruction efforts due to the potential for new elections, given that its previous electoral success led to significant internal conflict. However, there are concerns regarding the consequences should Hamas or affiliated candidates gain popular support again.
The Cairo Declaration firmly opposes any actions amounting to the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and emphasizes the roles of Jordan and Egypt in safeguarding Palestinian rights, directly contradicting proposals to relocate displaced Gazans to these countries. It reiterates the demand for Israel’s full withdrawal from Gaza as a critical condition for any ceasefire to effectively support the envisioned reconstruction.
In terms of the sequence necessary for peace in Palestine, the Cairo Declaration outlines a required cessation of Israeli military operations, followed by an agreed reconstruction plan and political resolution on Palestinian statehood. This declaration is intended to serve as groundwork for a potential scenario, albeit one requiring Israel’s cooperation, particularly concerning the status of Hamas.
Moreover, the declaration’s reiteration of the two-state solution raises significant doubts regarding its feasibility, especially given the continued expansion of Israeli settlements in the West Bank, which complicates any future negotiations. The international community has noted the adverse impact of these settlements on the prospects for establishing a viable Palestinian state, an ideal that remains unlikely without substantive action from Israel to halt settlement activities.
The Cairo Declaration illustrates a pivotal moment for the future of Gaza, characterized by a commitment to reconstruction and governance, contingent upon a lasting ceasefire and cooperation from all parties. While it aims to present a unified Arab front against proposals perceived as inequitable, the implementation of such strategies, especially the two-state solution, poses substantial challenges amid ongoing settlement expansion and political divisions within Palestinian leadership. Ultimately, the path forward necessitates a concerted effort towards inclusive dialogue and negotiated solutions for lasting peace.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
