Arab leaders at a Cairo summit approved a $53 billion Egyptian plan for rebuilding Gaza, which includes an initial $3 billion for recovery efforts. The plan proposes constructing 400,000 new housing units by 2030, along with essential infrastructure. The initiative has received strong backing from the UN and the EU. Gulf states’ involvement is crucial for financing as 70% of Gaza’s buildings suffer from damage.
A special meeting of the Arab League convened in Cairo to endorse an Egyptian initiative aimed at the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, which has been devastated by conflict. The plan, detailed in a comprehensive 112-page document, initiates a six-month recovery phase with an estimated budget of $3 billion focused on debris removal and temporary housing establishment.
The subsequent phases of the reconstruction plan involve the construction of 200,000 housing units over the next two years, followed by an additional 200,000 units. By 2030, the project aims to provide hundreds of thousands of new homes for approximately 3 million residents, alongside essential infrastructure such as an airport, industrial zones, hotels, and parks.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi highlighted the necessity of an “independent” Palestinian entity for overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction efforts, with Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas signaling his readiness to participate. The international community’s support for Egypt’s initiative has been called for, with endorsements from the United Nations and the European Union.
At the Cairo summit, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed his strong endorsement of the Arab-led plan, emphasizing the UN’s commitment to full cooperation in the initiative. EU Council President Antonio Costa affirmed that the proposals offer hope to millions of Palestinians and may help alleviate the immense suffering witnessed in the region over the past year and a half.
Additionally, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa praised Egypt’s efforts and underscored the importance of regional collaboration to enhance ties and safeguard national interests. Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa attended the summit, denouncing Trump’s proposals as “a crime that cannot take place”.
The reconstruction financing will depend heavily on the involvement of affluent Gulf nations such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, both of which do not support Hamas. While the full extent of the destruction in Gaza remains undetermined pending inspectors’ evaluations, the UN has estimated that approximately 70% of all buildings have incurred damage or destruction, affecting over 245,000 homes.
The endorsement of Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction plan by the Arab League marks a critical step towards addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. With international backing from the UN and EU, the initiative aims to rebuild housing and infrastructure while advocating for Palestinian autonomy. The success of this initiative hinges on regional support and financing from wealthy Gulf states, amidst a backdrop of significant destruction in the region.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
