Leaders from Egypt, Jordan, and Gulf States gathered in Saudi Arabia on Friday to discuss a reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, which was proposed by US President Donald Trump. The plan, which includes permanently displacing over 2 million Palestinians, has sparked outrage among Arab countries.
The summit, called by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, focused on Egypt’s proposal for rebuilding Gaza under “complete supervision” of Arab countries. Egyptian diplomat Mohammed Hegazy outlined a three-stage solution that would involve removing war debris, hosting an international reconstruction summit, and implementing urban planning and rebuilding homes and essential services.
Egypt’s plan includes a national committee to govern Gaza and reconstruction via a fund created with money from the Gulf and other foreign countries, including the US and financing organizations. The proposed funding is up to $20 billion over three years from wealthy Gulf states.
The alternative plan has yet to gain consensus among Arab leaders ahead of an emergency meeting of the Arab League on March 4 in Cairo. Funding commitments are crucial to any agreement, but oil-producing Gulf states have expressed skepticism about paying for reconstruction without a guarantee against future violence and destruction.
The Gaza Strip is severely damaged after over 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas. The UN estimates that rebuilding the territory would cost over $53 billion. Trump’s plan has united Arab states in opposition to it, particularly regarding displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Key questions remain unanswered, including who should control the area and be responsible for security.
Saudi Arabia has taken a stance against Trump’s proposal, as did other Gulf states, with Jordan’s King Abdullah also opposing the plan. The summit aims to provide an alternative solution to Trump’s proposal, but its success remains uncertain.
Source: https://www.dw.com/en/saudi-arabia-hosts-alternative-summit-on-gaza-reconstruction/a-71703601