Egypt has unveiled a draft plan for the Gaza Strip aimed at countering US President Donald Trump’s vision of a Middle East Riviera, which would sideline Hamas and replace it with interim bodies controlled by Arab, Muslim, and Western states. The Egyptian proposal does not specify whether it will be implemented before or after any permanent peace deal to end the war triggered by recent attacks.
Under the plan, a Governance Assistance Mission would replace the Hamas-run government in Gaza for an unspecified interim period, responsible for humanitarian aid and kick-starting reconstruction of the enclave. An International Stabilisation Force drawn primarily from Arab states would take over security duties from the militant group, with the eventual establishment of a new local police force.
However, details on who will run governance and pay to rebuild Gaza remain unclear. Egypt’s plan does not tackle critical issues such as funding for reconstruction or outlining specific details around governance, leaving many questions unanswered.
The proposal has been met with skepticism by Hamas officials, who have rejected the idea of any proposal being imposed on Palestinians by other states. The US proposal to displace Palestinians from Gaza is seen as a security threat and has sparked anger among Arabs and Palestinians.
Egypt’s foreign ministry did not immediately respond to requests for comment about the plan, nor did the office of Israel’s prime minister, whose support is vital to secure a commitment that any future reconstruction will not be destroyed again. Oil- and gas-producing Gulf Arab states such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates could be vital sources of funding from the region.
Source: https://www.reuters.com/world/egypts-alternative-trumps-gaza-riviera-aims-sideline-hamas-2025-03-03