Arab Leaders Unite in Egypt to Propose Alternative to Trump’s Gaza Plan
Arab leaders in Egypt are poised to approve a counterproposal to Trump’s Gaza plan, which suggests relocating Palestinians within Gaza instead of resettling them abroad. The proposal aims to improve conditions amid ongoing humanitarian crises, with Jordan accepting children for medical treatment inspired by the same discussions. The project remains contentious, facing skepticism from various regional stakeholders and Israeli authorities.
Recent meetings among Arab leaders in Egypt have resulted in an agreement on a counterproposal to President Donald Trump’s controversial plan regarding the Gaza Strip. The summit, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, involved key regional figures, including those from Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, highlighting their crucial support for any postwar initiatives.
The proposal from Egypt suggests that Palestinians should be relocated to safer areas within Gaza while the region’s cities are reconstructed, incorporating the use of mobile homes and adequate shelters for the displaced. The plan also involves Hamas ceding control to an interim administration of political independents, with hopes of transitioning to a reformed Palestinian Authority eventually.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas attended the summit, representing a faction opposed to Hamas. However, Israel has dismissed the notion of including the Palestinian Authority in Gaza’s management and, along with the United States, insists on Hamas’s disarmament. The ceasefire established in January remains fragile, leaving the potential for renewed conflict.
Trump’s prior statement, proposing to resettle Gaza’s two million residents in other countries, garnered significant criticism. His plan, suggesting that the United States take ownership and redevelopment of Gaza into a resort-style destination, was met with widespread rejection from Palestinians and various Arab nations, as well as human rights advocates concerned about its legal implications.
In a recent humanitarian effort, 29 Palestinian children were evacuated from Gaza to Jordan for medical treatment, accompanied by 43 relatives. This initiative follows King Abdullah II of Jordan’s offer to accept 2,000 children during discussions with President Trump, amidst ongoing rejection of the plan to depopulate Gaza by both Jordan and Egypt. The evacuated children traveled via Israel before reaching Jordan, where the kingdom is facilitating their medical care and broader humanitarian efforts.
The recent Arab summit in Egypt emphasized significant regional collaboration in response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. The proposed counterplan aims to secure safe zones for Palestinians while addressing the need for governance transitions. As humanitarian efforts continue, the implications of foreign proposals remain contentious, particularly regarding the broader stability of the region.
Original Source: apnews.com
