Egypt Proposes New Plan for Gaza Reconstruction Amidst Controversial U.S. Proposal
In a bold response to U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial proposal to depopulate Gaza, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi announced a comprehensive plan aimed at rebuilding the region while allowing Palestinians to remain in their homeland. According to Egypt’s state-run Al-Ahram newspaper, the proposal focuses on establishing secure areas within Gaza where Palestinians can initially live, as Egyptian and international construction companies work to rehabilitate the strip's infrastructure.
This initiative comes amidst widespread criticism of Trump's plan, which has been condemned by rights groups as a form of ethnic cleansing. Many have voiced concerns over the U.S. strategy to remove Gaza's population of approximately 2 million and transform the area into a tourist haven, with Palestinians barred from returning. Key regional players, including Egypt and Jordan, have rejected calls to accept displaced Gazans, reinforcing the idea that Palestinians will not abandon their homeland.
Egypt's plan seeks international support, with officials negotiating with European diplomats and countries such as Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates to discuss funding mechanisms for the reconstruction, including proposals for an international conference focused on Gaza's rebuilding.
As fighting in Gaza reaches a critical juncture, with an initial ceasefire set to end in early March, any reconstruction initiative hinges on a successful negotiation for a second phase of the ceasefire. This phase would ideally encompass the release of hostages held by Hamas and a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza. Notably, the reconstruction plan is designed to counter Trump's vision of reshaping the geographic and demographic landscape of Gaza.
A cornerstone of Egypt's proposal involves the establishment of a Palestinian administration that operates independently of both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. This administration would oversee reconstruction efforts and be complemented by a police force primarily composed of former police officers from the Palestinian Authority who have remained in Gaza since Hamas took control in 2007.
Questions about the deployment of an Arab force in Gaza have been met with skepticism, as regional powers are likely to endorse such a move only if it leads to the establishment of a viable independent Palestinian state. Meanwhile, Israeli leaders like Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have voiced solid opposition to the creation of a Palestinian state or any role for Hamas and the Palestinian Authority in governance.
Hamas, while still cautious, has shown flexibility, indicating a willingness to relinquish power in favor of either a Palestinian unity government without its participation or a committee of technocrats managing the territory.
The Egyptian proposal outlines a three-phase reconstruction process spanning up to five years, focused on alleviating immediate humanitarian needs without displacing Palestinians from Gaza. The plan designates three safe zones for temporary relocation within Gaza during an initial six-month early recovery phase, where mobile housing and essential humanitarian aid will facilitate the transition.
The anticipated rebuilding effort, which is expected to engage more than two dozen Egyptian and international firms, aims to restore vital infrastructure and create tens of thousands of jobs for the Gazan population. As discussions progress, Egypt has taken a proactive stance to present this alternative plan to an Arab summit later this month, signaling a strong regional response to U.S. proposals related to Gaza.
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