Monitoring Desk
In a significant diplomatic move, Arab leaders have adopted an Egyptian plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, rejecting US President Donald Trump’s vision of a “Middle East Riviera” in the war-torn enclave. The $53 billion initiative, announced at an Arab League summit in Cairo, aims to rebuild Gaza over five years while ensuring Palestinians remain on their land.
The Egyptian proposal, endorsed by Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas and the United Nations, contrasts sharply with Trump’s plan, which envisions a restructured Gaza without Hamas. The White House criticized the Arab-backed initiative, arguing it does not address the region’s “uninhabitable” reality.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, a key proponent of the reconstruction effort, stated that the plan provides “transitional governance arrangements” that align with the long-standing goal of a two-state solution. According to reports, the initiative involves two phases: an initial two-year stage to build 200,000 housing units, followed by another 200,000 homes and an airport over the next two and a half years.
The plan has garnered widespread regional support, with Abbas condemning any efforts to displace Palestinians. He urged Trump to support the reconstruction on the basis of Arab-led efforts rather than unilateral US proposals.
Meanwhile, Hamas, which has been at the center of Israeli security concerns, rejected any suggestion of disarmament. Senior Hamas leader Sami Abu Zuhri reaffirmed that the group’s weapons remain a “red line,” dismissing calls from Israel and the US for a total demilitarization of Gaza.
As tensions persist, UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres backed the Arab initiative, calling for urgent ceasefire negotiations. With the future of Gaza at stake, the diplomatic standoff between the US and Arab nations underscores the complexities of rebuilding the enclave while navigating the broader Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
