Arab Leaders Endorse Egypt’s Gaza Reconstruction Plan at Cairo Summit
Arab leaders convened in Cairo to support Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza, aimed at keeping its residents in the region. President al-Sisi emphasized the plan’s alignment with Palestinian rights, while rejecting U.S. President Trump’s vision of relocation. The summit called for international cooperation towards peace and stability in Gaza.
On March 4, an emergency summit convened in Cairo, attended by Arab leaders who expressed their support for Egypt’s initiative regarding the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. This plan aims to facilitate the rebuilding of Gaza while ensuring that its two million residents remain in their homeland, contrasting sharply with U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal for their relocation. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi emphasized that this plan affirms the rights of the Palestinian people and is structured to combat the efforts of displacement caused by the ongoing conflict.
The ambitious reconstruction plan, costing $53 billion, incorporates a six-month recovery phase to provide temporary housing for 1.5 million displaced individuals within Gaza, followed by two key reconstruction phases. The initial phase, set to span two years, will require $20 billion, while the subsequent 2.5-year phase will demand an additional $30 billion, concluding by 2030. Additionally, President al-Sisi highlighted the need for a concurrent peace process supported by both international stakeholders and neighboring countries to ensure a fair settlement of the Palestinian issue.
Al-Sisi proposed the formation of an administrative committee of independent Palestinian technocrats to temporarily govern the Strip and oversee relief efforts until the Palestinian Authority can resume its functions. He also indicated that Egypt and Jordan are actively engaged in training Palestinian security forces to ensure stability in Gaza amidst the reconstruction efforts. He underscored that lasting peace necessitates the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas endorsed Egypt’s plan while firmly rejecting any displacement of Palestinians from their land. Addressing the summit, he urged Arab leaders to rally support for the reconstruction initiative amid significant challenges facing the Palestinian cause. Abbas reiterated the importance of the Palestinian Authority’s leadership in Gaza and fostering unity among Palestinian factions to strengthen their position.
Jordan’s King Abdullah also expressed strong opposition to any attempts to displace Palestinians or annex their land, emphasizing the need for a two-state solution. He affirmed Jordan’s commitment to supporting the Gaza reconstruction plan and reiterated that achieving comprehensive peace hinges on establishing an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem at its heart.
United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres conveyed that the summit signals a collective global commitment to alleviating human suffering and striving for enduring peace in the region. He cautioned against the resurgence of hostilities and emphasized the necessity of a robust political framework to facilitate the recovery and stability of Gaza. Additionally, he reaffirmed the Palestinian people’s right to self-governance and underscored that lasting peace can only be achieved through a two-state solution.
As the one-day summit concluded, Arab leaders were poised to formally endorse Egypt’s reconstruction plan for Gaza, firmly rejecting Trump’s proposal for the permanent relocation of Gaza’s inhabitants and the establishment of a ‘Middle East Riviera.’
In summary, the Arab summit held in Cairo focused on endorsing Egypt’s strategic reconstruction plan for Gaza while emphatically rejecting U.S. President Trump’s alternative vision for the region. The discussions underscored the importance of maintaining the residents of Gaza in their homeland and ensuring their rights throughout the recovery process. With support from regional allies and a call for international involvement, the leaders sought a pathway to a stable future for both Gaza and the broader Palestinian cause.
Original Source: www.upi.com
