On Tuesday, Arab leaders adopted an Egyptian reconstruction proposal for Gaza, which is projected to cost $53 billion and ensure that Palestinians remain in the area, diverging from US President Donald Trump’s “Middle East Riviera” vision. The plan was presented by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah al-Sissi, who confirmed its acceptance at the conclusion of a summit in Cairo, with Hamas welcoming the proposal, while Israel criticized it.
At the summit, Sissi expressed confidence that Trump could ultimately achieve peace in the Gaza conflict, though the agreement did not tackle critical issues surrounding Gaza’s future, such as the role of Hamas and how the reconstruction funds would be provided.
Sissi emphasized that his plan would allow Palestinians to stay in Gaza, with a suggestion that independent Palestinian technocrats, unaffiliated with Hamas, would govern the region once the war ends.
The committee overseeing Gaza’s affairs would manage humanitarian aid and other administrative tasks for a transitional period, paving the way for the Palestinian Authority to eventually return. Hamas welcomed the formation of the Palestinian committee and the Egyptian proposal.
There appeared to be differences of opinion among summit participants regarding Hamas’s future. While the UAE views Hamas and other Islamists as a serious threat and calls for the group’s immediate disarmament, other Arab nations support a more gradual approach. According to a source close to the issue, Saudi Arabia’s royal court sees Hamas’s continued presence in Gaza as a major obstacle, particularly because of objections from both the US and Israel, who would need to approve any agreement.
In response to the Egyptian plan’s endorsement, White House National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes reiterated President Trump’s stance that Hamas could not continue to govern Gaza. He said, “President Trump has been clear that Hamas cannot continue to govern Gaza. While the president stands by his bold vision for a post-war Gaza, he welcomes input from our Arab partners in the region. It’s clear his proposals have driven the region to come to the table rather than allow this issue to devolve into further crisis.”
Israel’s Foreign Ministry rejected the Egyptian proposal, stating it “fails to address the realities of the situation.” It further criticized the plan for not addressing Hamas’s violent actions, saying, “It is noteworthy that Hamas’s vicious terror assault isn’t mentioned, and there isn’t even a condemnation of this murderous terrorist entity, despite the documented atrocities.” Israel reaffirmed its support for Trump’s plan, which envisions relocating Gaza’s population and giving them “free choice based on their free will,” and urged regional powers to “break free from past constraints and collaborate to create a future of stability and security in the region.”
Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, condemned Israel’s rejection, calling it “unacceptable” and “stubborn.” He argued that peace would be unattainable in the region without the establishment of a Palestinian state and criticized Israel’s actions as violations of international law, stating, “There will be no peace neither to Israel or to the region without establishing an independent Palestinian state in accordance with United Nations resolutions.”
Sissi reiterated his call for a two-state solution, asserting, “There will be no true peace without the establishment of the Palestinian state. It’s time to adopt the launching of a serious and effective political path that leads to a permanent and lasting solution to the Palestinian cause according to the resolutions of international legitimacy.”
Egypt’s reconstruction plan, titled “Early Recovery, Reconstruction, Development of Gaza,” is centered on “preserving the rights, dignity and humanity of the Palestinian people” and aims to lay the groundwork for a two-state solution. The proposal emphasizes that it would be “illogical” to disregard Palestinians’ desire to stay in their land. It also calls for a ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, as well as the release of Israeli hostages and Palestinian prisoners.
The Egyptian plan envisions a Gaza Administration Committee of independent technocrats to oversee the initial six-month phase of reconstruction, with the possibility of elections in Palestinian territories within a year. The plan includes ambitious infrastructure proposals, such as modern living spaces, agricultural zones, commercial centers, and government buildings, along with the construction of an airport and seaport. The plan’s timeline extends through 2030.
The summit in Cairo was attended by the Emir of Qatar, Bahrain’s king, the UAE’s vice president, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, and UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The plan would require significant funding from oil-rich Gulf nations, such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia, who could provide the $53 billion estimated by Egypt. Palestinian Authority (PA) Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa indicated that the reconstruction fund would seek international financing and be overseen by the World Bank.
Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan emphasized the need for international guarantees to maintain the ceasefire, and expressed support for the PA’s governance role in Gaza. During the summit, leaders from the UAE and Qatar did not speak in public sessions, but Guterres voiced his full support for the Egyptian plan, stating, “I welcome and strongly endorse the Arab-led initiative to mobilize support for Gaza’s reconstruction, clearly expressed in this summit.”
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas also expressed his approval of the Egyptian proposal, adding that he is willing to hold elections when circumstances permit. Abbas, who has been in power since 2005, reiterated his stance as the only legitimate governing force in the West Bank and Gaza, despite repeatedly promising elections in the past without following through.
Trump’s initial proposal to transform Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East” and forcibly relocate its residents sparked outrage. However, he later softened his position, stating he was “not forcing” the plan, although experts have raised concerns about its potential violation of international law. Israeli Prime Minister Netanyahu has expressed strong support for Trump’s plan, calling it “visionary and innovative,” and Israeli officials have begun working on the plan’s details.
Hamas spokesman Hazem Qassem rejected any plan for Gaza’s future that does not have the backing of the Palestinian people, stating, “Our position is clear, any plans for Gaza’s future… must be reached through national consensus, and we will facilitate the process.” Senior Hamas figure Sami Abu Zuhri similarly insisted that the group would not disarm, declaring, “Any talk about the resistance’s weapons is nonsense. The resistance’s weapons are a red line for Hamas and all resistance factions.”
The Egyptian plan does not address Hamas’s future or how to prevent the group from intimidating officials or launching rockets at Israel. It does propose training Palestinian police through Egypt and Jordan and suggests examining the possibility of an international force in Gaza and the West Bank. The recovery phase would cost $3 billion and last six months, followed by a five-year reconstruction phase totaling $53 billion. Drawing comparisons to the reconstruction of Hiroshima and Berlin after World War II, the plan also focuses on creating sustainable, smart cities with modern infrastructure, green buildings, and walkability.
While it does not fully address the critical challenges posed by Hamas’s presence, the Egyptian proposal envisions resorts, tourist villages, and 120 new hospitals and clinics along Gaza’s coastline. Meanwhile, Israel and Hamas remain at a stalemate over the future of a fragile hostage-ceasefire agreement that began on January 19, 2024, with both sides accusing each other of sabotaging the deal.
{Matzav.com Israel}