Arab Leaders and UN Support Egypt’s $53 Billion Plan for Gaza Reconstruction
Arab leaders and the UN have endorsed Egypt’s $53 billion plan to rebuild Gaza, presented by President al-Sissi. The five-year initiative aims to ensure Palestinians can remain on their land, although peace is contingent upon Hamas disarmament. The reconstruction will commence with an initial recovery phase, followed by the construction of 200,000 homes, with aspirations for further development by 2030. The Egyptian plan has garnered international support amidst significant regional challenges.
In a recent extraordinary meeting, Arab leaders and the United Nations endorsed Egypt’s ambitious $53 billion plan to reconstruct the Gaza Strip, presented by President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi. The five-year initiative aims to rebuild the region and ensure that Palestinians can remain on their land. President al-Sissi emphasized that true peace can only be established with the creation of a Palestinian state, asserting that it cannot be enforced through force.
As part of the recovery process, Israel has conditioned the ceasefire on Hamas’ disarmament, which the Islamist group has declared unacceptable. The Israeli Foreign Ministry criticized the discussions in Cairo for failing to address the realities following the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas. Despite these tensions, the Egyptian plan has garnered significant backing.
The reconstruction plan, detailed in a 112-page draft, outlines a preliminary six-month recovery phase focused on clear debris and providing temporary housing, with an estimated cost of $3 billion. Following this, phase one anticipates the construction of 200,000 housing units in Gaza over the next two years, followed by another 200,000. The comprehensive plan envisions hundreds of thousands of new homes by 2030, alongside the development of an airport, industrial zones, and recreational facilities.
President Sissi called on the international community to support the reconstruction plan, receiving endorsements from prominent figures including UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres and EU Council President Antonio Costa, both expressing hopes for peace and support for Palestinians. Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa acknowledged the significance of Egypt’s plan, emphasizing the need for regional cooperation.
Within Gaza, support for the Egyptian plan was echoed by Hamas, which welcomed Egypt’s proposal aimed at alleviating the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing occupation. The UN has assessed that almost 70% of Gaza’s structures have been damaged or destroyed in recent conflicts, with estimates indicating over 50 million tons of rubble present in the area, dwarfing significant historical structures.
The emergency summit was largely a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial plans for Gaza, which included resettling Palestinian people. Al-Sissi acknowledged Trump’s potential role in peace discussions regarding the Palestine issue, maintaining a constructive outlook despite regional tensions regarding the American proposals.
The endorsement of Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza reflects a significant effort by Arab leaders and the United Nations to address the region’s needs post-conflict. The plan not only aims to provide immediate recovery support but also lays out an extensive framework for long-term development and the establishment of a Palestinian state, highlighting the complexities of the ongoing conflict and the necessity for international cooperation. Despite challenges, including Hamas’ disarmament demands, there is hope for a peaceful resolution and recovery.
Original Source: www.dw.com
