Arab Summit Backs Egypt’s Gaza Plan, Opposes Displacement/ Newslooks/ WASHINGTON/ J. Mansour/ Morning Edition/ Arab leaders at a Cairo summit formally endorsed Egypt’s $53 billion plan to rebuild Gaza, rejecting President Donald Trump’s proposal to resettle Palestinians elsewhere. Egypt’s plan envisions a sustainable, rebuilt Gaza by 2030 with housing, infrastructure, and economic zones while allowing residents to remain. The proposal drew support from Arab nations and Hamas, criticism from Israel, and skepticism from the U.S.
Egypt’s Gaza Rebuilding Plan: Quick Look
- Arab Leaders’ Stance: Summit in Cairo formally backs Egypt’s plan.
- Rebuilding Timeline: Aims to reconstruct Gaza by 2030.
- Infrastructure Goals: Clears 50M tons of rubble, builds housing, ports.
- U.S. Reaction: Trump administration dismisses plan as “unworkable”.
- Israel’s Response: Rejects Egypt’s plan, continues backing Trump’s proposal.
- Hamas’ View: Welcomes Arab support, opposes forced resettlement.
- Trump’s Proposal: Calls for relocating Gaza’s 2 million residents.
Arab Leaders Endorse Egypt’s Gaza Plan, Reject Trump’s Proposal
Arab Summit Backs Gaza Rebuild Plan
In a landmark meeting in Cairo, Arab leaders endorsed Egypt’s postwar plan for Gaza, providing a stark alternative to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to depopulate the strip and redevelop it.
“The Palestinian people have the right to remain on their land without displacement,” said Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi after the summit.
The $53 billion plan, backed by key Arab states, aims to clear debris, rebuild infrastructure, and restore Gaza’s economy by 2030.
Trump’s Displacement Plan Rejected
Trump’s proposal, which suggested relocating Gaza’s 2 million residents abroad, was widely condemned by Arab nations, the United Nations, and human rights organizations.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu supported Trump’s vision, calling it an “opportunity for Gazans to start anew elsewhere.”
However, Hamas, Egypt, and other Arab leaders fiercely opposed the idea of forced displacement.
How Egypt’s Plan Works
Egypt’s detailed 112-page plan lays out a phased reconstruction effort:
- Phase 1 (2025-2027):
- Clearing 50 million tons of rubble.
- Setting up temporary housing for displaced residents.
- Recycling debris to expand Gaza’s Mediterranean coastline.
- Phase 2 (2027-2030):
- Constructing sustainable, green, and walkable urban areas.
- Developing industrial zones, agricultural land, and commercial hubs.
- Opening a new airport, fishing port, and commercial port.
International Reactions
The White House dismissed Egypt’s plan as unrealistic, insisting that Gaza is “currently uninhabitable.”
“President Trump stands by his vision to rebuild Gaza free from Hamas,” said White House spokesman Brian Hughes.
Meanwhile, Israel rejected the proposal outright, arguing it failed to address security threats from Hamas.
“This plan does not reflect reality,” said Israeli Foreign Ministry spokesman Oren Marmorstein.
Hamas and the Palestinian Authority Respond
- Hamas welcomed the Arab League’s rejection of forced displacement but expressed concerns about governance under Egypt’s plan.
- Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas attended the summit and expressed interest in overseeing Gaza’s reconstruction.
Trump’s Plan vs. Egypt’s Plan: Key Differences
| Aspect | Trump’s Proposal | Egypt’s Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Population | Resettle Gazans elsewhere | Allow Palestinians to stay |
| Development | Build luxury tourism sites | Reconstruct infrastructure |
| Governance | Unclear leadership | PA or independent rule |
| Security Focus | Hamas must be removed | Peacekeeping force proposed |
| Funding | U.S.-backed investors | Arab & international donors |
The Road Ahead
While Arab nations back Egypt’s plan, Israel and the U.S. remain opposed, making implementation uncertain. Meanwhile, ongoing ceasefire negotiations continue to stall, leaving the fate of Gaza’s reconstruction—and its people—uncertain.
You must Register or Login to post a comment.