Israel criticizes Egypt’s $53 billion Gaza reconstruction plan, while Egypt’s Foreign Minister defends it by stating peace cannot be achieved without a Palestinian state. Shin Bet acknowledges its failure to prevent recent Hamas attacks, leading to calls for a national inquiry into the government’s response. Egypt will bring its plan to the OIC for approval, offering an alternative to Trump’s proposal of displacing Palestinians.
Israel has expressed vehement opposition to Egypt’s proposed $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza, which was recently endorsed at the Arab League summit in Cairo. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty condemned Israel’s criticism as “unacceptable” and characterized the Netanyahu administration’s stance as “stubborn and extremist.” He emphasized that lasting peace in the region hinges on the establishment of a sovereign Palestinian state, urging against any unilateral imposition of will by Israel upon the international community.
On another front, Shin Bet, Israel’s internal security agency, admitted to its failure in preventing Hamas’s recent attacks. Shin Bet Chief Ronen Bar acknowledged the agency overlooked critical warning signs and mistakenly believed Hamas was not inclined towards a full-scale war. Bar stated, “If Israel’s top domestic security agency had acted differently in the years preceding the [Hamas] attack … the massacre would have been prevented,” accepting significant blame for the failure to protect citizens.
Five days prior to the Shin Bet report, the Israeli military also released its assessment, revealing its grave misjudgment of Hamas’s capabilities and a failure to safeguard civilians during the October 7 assault, which marked a catastrophic day in Israeli history. Calls for a national inquiry into government shortcomings have intensified, yet political leaders, including Prime Minister Netanyahu, have refrained from initiating a comprehensive investigation, despite mounting pressure.
Additionally, Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced that Egypt plans to present its Gaza reconstruction initiative to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for approval. He stated, “On March 7, God willing, in Jeddah, there will be an emergency meeting of the foreign ministers of the OIC, and we will seek to adopt this plan as well so that it will be an Arab plan and an Islamic plan.” The OIC, which includes 57 members, aligns with the 22 Arab League nations in supporting the reconstruction effort without displacing Palestinians.
Following President Trump’s controversial proposal to forcibly displace Palestinians from Gaza, Arab leaders convened an emergency summit in Cairo. They collectively agreed to an alternative course of action that emphasizes immediate humanitarian relief and comprehensive reconstruction initiatives, prioritizing the stability and rights of the Palestinian populace.
In summary, the Egyptian proposal for Gaza’s reconstruction has garnered support from Arab leaders, despite fierce objections from Israel. While Shin Bet and the Israeli military grapple with their operational shortcomings leading to the recent escalation, calls for accountability from the Israeli government grow louder. As Egypt seeks OIC endorsement of its plan, the political landscape remains charged with urgency as stakeholders push for a resolution that respects Palestinian sovereignty.
Original Source: www.aljazeera.com
