Leaders of seven Arab countries gathered in Saudi Arabia on Friday to discuss an alternative plan for the future of Gaza, rejecting US President Donald Trump’s proposal that would forcibly displace its residents. The meeting was attended by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al Sabah, Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa, and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman.
The proposed plan aims to avoid Palestinian displacement and instead focus on rebuilding the devastated enclave. The Egyptian government has developed a reconstruction plan that is being built upon by the Arab leaders. However, details of the plan remain unclear, including how it will be funded.
The meeting comes at a crucial moment for the Palestinians and the Arab nations. If Trump’s proposal succeeds, it would mark the end of decades of work towards Palestinian self-determination. The US president has threatened to withhold hundreds of millions of dollars in aid if Egypt and Jordan comply with his scheme, but both countries have rejected it.
Arab leaders are seeking a unified front against the Trump administration’s approach, which they believe treads on the rights of Gaza residents and perpetuates regional violence. They hope to present their alternative plan at an Arab League meeting in Cairo, Egypt on March 4, where they can “put on a united front” with international support.
The challenge lies in balancing economic, political, and security concerns, as well as addressing the issue of Palestinian self-determination. The World Bank estimates that rebuilding Gaza would cost over $53 billion, including $20 billion in the first three years.
Source: https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2025/2/21/arab-leaders-discuss-alternative-to-trump-gaza-plan-at-saudi-arabia-meet