International Arab states seek supporters for Gaza reconstruction plan
The reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip drawn up by Arab countries is also to be presented to the European Union and the USA.
05.03.2025, 04:11
SDA
This was stated by Egypt's Foreign Minister Badr Abdel-Atti at the end of a summit meeting in Cairo. His country wants to gain the broadest possible international support for the approximately 90-page plan, which is available to the German Press Agency, and counter the controversial proposals of US President Donald Trump.
Over a period of around five years, the plan initially envisages the removal of rubble in Gaza and then the construction of temporary and permanent accommodation for the Palestinians living there. The costs are estimated at the equivalent of around 50 billion euros. The United Nations has also quoted this sum for the reconstruction of the extensively destroyed coastal area. Pledges of funding from Arab or other donor countries or international institutions are not yet known.
Technocratic body to control Gaza
The paper mentions a Palestinian committee of technocrats that is to take control of the Gaza Strip during a six-month transitional phase. This is to take place under the "auspices" of the Palestinian government before the more moderate Palestinian Authority (PA) of President Mahmoud Abbas takes full control.
Abbas' Palestinian organization Fatah rejects rule with the rival Islamists of Hamas in Gaza. Instead, Abbas is seeking a direct takeover of control by the PA. However, Hamas apparently does not want to relinquish the power it gained by force in 2007, nor does it want to lay down its arms. Israel strictly rejects government participation by the terrorist organization, which triggered the Gaza War with the devastating October 2023 massacre, after the end of the war - as well as a takeover of control by the PA.
Hamas welcomes plans, criticism from Israel
Hamas welcomed the fact that the summit participants had opposed the expulsion of Palestinians from the Gaza Strip. The Islamist organization also welcomed the plans to rebuild the coastal strip.
A spokesperson for the Israeli Foreign Ministry, however, criticized that the summit in Cairo did not discuss "the realities of the situation after 7 October 2023", but rather "outdated perspectives". Hamas was not condemned for its murderous terrorist attack in Israel. Israel also rejected the involvement of the Palestinian Authority and the UN Palestinian Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA). The spokesperson accused both of "corruption and support for terrorism". Trump's plan, on the other hand, was "an opportunity for the people of Gaza to have a free choice based on their own will".
Trump recently caused a stir with his proposal to transform the Gaza Strip under US control into an economically flourishing "Riviera of the East" and to "resettle" the Palestinians living there to Arab states in the region. In view of the thousands of deaths and enormous destruction in the Gaza war, Trump's plan and his choice of words were widely criticized. The outrage was made even louder by a video he distributed showing an AI-generated vision of the future of the Gaza Strip.
Housing for three million people and an airport
The Egyptian plan envisages hundreds of thousands of new homes for three million residents by 2030 as well as the construction of an airport and a seaport. There are also to be industrial areas, as well as hotel complexes, parks and beaches to even promote tourism in the current war zone.
The plan also recommends direct talks between Israelis and Palestinians and includes a renewed call for a two-state solution. In view of the war between Israel and Hamas, however, such talks appear to be a virtual impossibility at present.
Call for the deployment of peacekeeping troops
At the summit in Cairo, Egypt's President and host Abdel Fatah al-Sisi received the King of Bahrain, the Emir of Qatar, UN Secretary-General António Guterres and EU Council President António Costa, among others. Guterres said that the Palestinians had "endured more than hell".
In the final declaration, the summit participants called on the UN Security Council to send peacekeeping troops to Gaza and the West Bank. This would strengthen security for both Palestinians and Israelis and pave the way for a Palestinian state, they said.
"Red line": Hamas rejects its own disarmament
Hamas meanwhile reaffirmed its rejection of the demilitarization of the Gaza Strip demanded by Israel. Disarming the group would be a "red line" in the negotiations on the continuation of the ceasefire agreement, a Hamas spokesperson told the German Press Agency.
According to media reports, Israel's Foreign Minister Gideon Saar had previously said that Israel was prepared to move on to the second phase of the ceasefire agreement with Hamas if the latter released all hostages and the Gaza Strip was completely demilitarized. In addition to Hamas, there are other armed groups there that are also committed to the fight against Israel.
The first phase of a ceasefire in the war between Israel and Hamas came to an end at the weekend. So far, neither side has been able to agree on the conditions for a continuation. It is feared that the Gaza war could flare up again - with potentially devastating consequences for the civilian population in the Gaza Strip and the Israeli hostages who are still being held there 17 months after being kidnapped. This is another reason why it is completely open whether and when the Egyptian plans could be implemented.
