Egypt’s 91-page plan for the future of Gaza, unveiled at an Arab League summit in Cairo, aims to rebuild the Palestinian enclave devastated by 15 months of Israeli war. The proposal sets a $53bn budget and outlines a five-year timescale for reconstruction, as well as a vision for post-war governance. However, the plan makes no mention of Hamas, the group that has controlled Gaza since 2007.
Despite this omission, Hamas has reacted positively to the proposal, with experts saying the group’s presence is inevitable in any future governing structure. “Nobody will rule Gaza without Hamas’ agreement,” says Qossay Hamed, an expert on Hamas and academic at Al-Quds Open University in Ramallah. The plan suggests a non-partisan technocratic committee would oversee Gaza for the first six months, followed by the Palestinian Authority’s full return.
The proposal also addresses concerns about armed groups in Gaza, stating that removing their causes through a credible political process can lead to an end of all resistance activities. However, experts say this does not necessarily mean Hamas will give up its arms entirely. The plan proposes training Palestinian police forces and a UN Security Council resolution for international protection/peacekeeping forces.
Despite the Arab League proposal’s emphasis on Israel’s occupation as the root cause of violence in Gaza, some have raised concerns about the lack of demand from Israel to end the occupation or bring about a two-state solution. Experts say this allows Hamas and other groups to remain armed, with Annelle Sheline, a former US official, stating that the PA’s corruption and lack of democratic accountability have eroded its legitimacy.
The return of Mohammed Dahlan, an exiled Fatah leader, has been seen as a possible outcome, while Marwan Barghouti, a long-imprisoned Fatah figure with wide popular support among Palestinians, is considered a potential unifying figure. However, Israel’s preference for a corrupt and ineffective Abbas means that the Palestinian leadership’s success will depend on various factors, including public support and international involvement.
Source: https://www.middleeasteye.net/news/what-does-egypts-post-war-gaza-plan-mean-hamas