Egypt Unveils Plan to Rebuild Gaza Without Forcing Relocations

17 Feb at 10:13 pm

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Egypt Unveils Plan to Rebuild Gaza Without Forcing Relocations \ Newslooks \ Washington DC \ Mary Sidiqi \ Evening Edition \ Egypt has proposed a reconstruction plan for Gaza that aims to rebuild the war-torn territory without displacing Palestinians, directly countering President Donald Trump’s call to relocate Gaza’s population and place the strip under U.S. control. The plan includes “secure areas” for displaced residents, a Palestinian administration separate from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, and a phased rebuilding process with support from Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. Talks on funding and governance are ongoing, with France and Germany backing the Arab-led initiative.

Egypt Counters Trump’s Gaza Plan: Quick Looks

Egypt Proposes Gaza Reconstruction Without Displacement: A new plan calls for rebuilding Gaza while keeping Palestinians in the strip, directly opposing Trump’s relocation proposal.
Trump’s Plan Faces Global Rejection: Trump proposed removing Gaza’s population and turning the strip into a U.S.-controlled “Riviera of the Middle East”, a move condemned as a potential war crime.
Arab Nations Support Egypt’s Alternative Plan: Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan are backing Egypt’s efforts to create a Palestinian-led administration in Gaza.
New Palestinian Leadership Proposed: Egypt suggests a governing body separate from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority, with a new security force including former PA officers.
Three-Phase Reconstruction Strategy: The plan envisions safe zones, mobile housing, and infrastructure rebuilding over five years with support from international firms.
Ceasefire Uncertainty Delays Implementation: The second phase of the truce must determine whether Israel fully withdraws from Gaza and who will govern the strip.
France and Germany Back Arab-Led Efforts: European nations favor an alternative to Trump’s plan, with Macron and Egypt’s el-Sissi discussing reconstruction options.
Gaza’s Devastation Poses Challenges: With $30 billion in infrastructure damage and 250,000 homes destroyed, rapid rebuilding is urgently needed but faces political hurdles.

Deep Look

Egypt Proposes Gaza Rebuilding Without Forced Displacement

As the Gaza ceasefire approaches a crucial deadline, Egypt has put forward a detailed reconstruction plan aimed at rebuilding the strip without removing its 2 million Palestinian residents. This directly challenges President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal, which calls for permanently relocating Gaza’s population and placing the territory under U.S. control.

According to Egypt’s state-run Al-Ahram newspaper, the plan would establish “secure areas” within Gaza where displaced Palestinians could live temporarily while Egyptian and international construction firms work on clearing rubble and rebuilding infrastructure. The proposal is being discussed with European and Arab nations, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE, as officials seek financial backing and diplomatic approval.

Trump’s Gaza Plan Sparks International Backlash

Trump’s radical proposal has been met with widespread rejection from Palestinians, Arab nations, and international rights groups. The former president has stated that the United States would take over Gaza, transforming it into a “Riviera of the Middle East”, but would not allow Palestinians to return.

The plan has been condemned as a potential war crime by human rights organizations, while Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia have firmly refused to accept Palestinian refugees. Even European countries, including France and Germany, have criticized the proposal, though Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has praised it and signaled that Israel is preparing to implement it.

Egypt’s Alternative Plan Gains Arab and European Support

Egypt’s counterproposal seeks to refute Trump’s plan and offers an alternative vision for Gaza’s reconstruction. The plan is centered around three key components:

A Palestinian-led Administration – Egypt proposes the creation of a new governing body for Gaza, separate from Hamas and the Palestinian Authority (PA). This would ensure a neutral leadership overseeing the rebuilding process.
A Temporary Security Force – The plan calls for a Palestinian police force composed of former PA officers who remained in Gaza after Hamas took control in 2007. They would be supported by Egyptian- and Western-trained forces.
A Phased Reconstruction Strategy – The rebuilding process would take place in three phases over five years, starting with the creation of safe zones equipped with mobile housing, shelters, and humanitarian aid.

Arab nations are set to discuss Egypt’s proposal at a high-level meeting in Riyadh this week, with plans to present it at an upcoming Arab summit later this month. France and Germany have expressed support for Arab-led efforts, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi has discussed the plan with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Gaza’s Devastation and the Urgent Need for Rebuilding

The 16-month-long war in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel, has left the territory in ruins.

Around 250,000 housing units have been destroyed or severely damaged, according to U.N. estimates.
More than 90% of Gaza’s roads and 80% of its healthcare facilities have been damaged or destroyed.
The estimated infrastructure damage stands at $30 billion, with an additional $16 billion in housing losses.

Challenges to Implementation: Ceasefire and Governance Uncertainty

While Egypt’s plan presents a clear alternative to Trump’s vision, several obstacles remain:

The ceasefire’s second phase is still under negotiation, including whether Israeli forces will fully withdraw from Gaza.
Israel insists Hamas must be eliminated before any long-term political settlement, complicating efforts to establish a new Palestinian governing body.
Hamas has stated it is willing to relinquish control of Gaza, either to a unity government or a technocratic committee, but has opposed any external military presence.

What’s Next?

Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and Jordan will finalize Egypt’s proposal before presenting it at the Arab summit later this month.
The ceasefire’s next phase must be negotiated, determining who will govern Gaza and whether Israeli forces will fully withdraw.
Western and Arab nations will debate funding mechanisms, with France and Germany supporting an alternative to Trump’s relocation plan.

Egypt’s proposal offers a framework for Gaza’s future without displacing its people, setting up a high-stakes diplomatic battle over the territory’s fate in the coming weeks.