Arab leaders endorsed Egypt’s plan for rebuilding Gaza, opposing Trump’s proposal for resettlement. Egyptian President el-Sissi praised the Arab consensus to support reconstruction while retaining Palestinians in their homeland. The proposal faces criticism from U.S. and Israeli officials, yet Hamas welcomed the Arab solidarity for the Palestinian cause, indicating a significant shift in diplomatic engagement in the region.
On Tuesday, Arab leaders expressed their support for Egypt’s plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip, which aims to retain the region’s 2 million Palestinian inhabitants. This initiative serves as a counterproposal to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial plan, which proposed relocating inhabitants and transforming Gaza into a tourist destination. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi commended the consensus among Arab nations to back this reconstruction strategy, allowing Palestinians to remain on their land without the threat of displacement.
Following this summit, President el-Sissi publicly articulated his desire to collaborate with President Trump, other Arab states, and global partners to devise a comprehensive resolution to the Palestinian issue. He emphasized the need to address the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict and to guarantee both security and stability in the region while aspiring to establish a Palestinian state.
In response, White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes dismissed the Egyptian proposal, citing its impracticality given the current conditions in Gaza. He reiterated Trump’s commitment to rebuilding Gaza free from Hamas’s influence and expressed optimism regarding future discussions to foster peace in the region. Similarly, Israel’s foreign ministry criticized the Egyptian plan, asserting it failed to acknowledge the complexities of the situation and insisted on maintaining its support for the resettlement strategy proposed by Trump.
Egypt’s Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty criticized Israel’s rejection of the reconstruction plan, labeling it “unacceptable.” He argued that peace could only be achieved through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, in accordance with international laws. He further condemned any single nation’s attempts to impose its will on the broader international community.
Hamas welcomed the endorsement of Egypt’s plan, regarding it as a significant alignment of Arab and Islamic support for the Palestinian cause. In addition, Israel has expressed openness to an alternative U.S. ceasefire proposal but has faced backlash for delaying vital humanitarian assistance to Gaza, a move condemned by human rights groups.
Egypt’s reconstruction plan outlines a vision for rebuilding Gaza by 2030 while preserving its population. The initial phase focuses on removing unexploded ordnance and clearing debris from recent conflicts. Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit noted that the summit’s communiqué urged the UN Security Council to deploy an international peacekeeping force to Gaza and the West Bank.
The plan also encompasses the establishment of temporary housing units for Gaza’s citizens during the reconstruction process. Long-term proposals include transforming Gaza into sustainable urban areas with renewable energy sources, agricultural revitalization, and the development of transport facilities such as airports and seaports. Hamas is expected to hand over control to an interim administration until a reformed Palestinian Authority can govern.
Despite these discussions, Israel maintains its resistance to the idea of a Palestinian state and has expressed the need for the disarmament of Hamas. Trump’s earlier proposal for the relocation of Gaza’s population has provoked widespread condemnation from Palestinians and international observers alike, asserting that such an action may contravene international law. The ongoing conflict, ignited by the recent attacks from Hamas, has highlighted the deep-rooted challenges and complexities facing all involved parties in the region as they seek a resolution.
In summary, Arab leaders have unified in support of Egypt’s plan for reconstructing Gaza while preserving its existing Palestinian population. This approach challenges President Trump’s controversial proposal of resettlement for the area’s inhabitants. Amidst the criticism from both officials in the U.S. and Israel, the endorsement of Egypt’s strategy signals a pivotal moment for Arab nations to advocate for a sustainable resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, emphasizing the necessity for independent Palestinian statehood.
Original Source: www.washingtonpost.com
