Arab League adopts 'Egypt Plan' for the reconstruction of Gaza

Heads of state and leaders of Arab countries, along with the European Union and the United Nations, gathered in Cairo, the capital of Egypt, for an Extraordinary Arab League Summit regarding the future of the Gaza Strip. The opening speech of the summit was delivered by King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa of Bahrain, who holds the rotating presidency of the Arab League. Al Khalifa stated, "We reject any attempt to displace Palestinians, support a two-state solution, and call for support for Egypt's reconstruction plan," adding, "A just and sustainable peace is the fundamental element for the Palestinian people to regain their historically legitimate right to self-determination."

"WILL GUARANTEE"

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, who hosted the summit, said that the attacks on Gaza have left an indelible stain on humanity. Emphasizing that the war aims to destroy the population in the Gaza Strip, Sisi said, "As we gather here today, we are facing a bitter reality. Our region is facing painful challenges."

Stressing that Egypt's plan to rebuild Gaza will guarantee that Palestinians remain on their own land, Sisi said, "Those who have lost their loved ones in Gaza, the widows and orphans, have turned their eyes to you for their hopes to be rekindled and for a lasting peace."

Sisi added that US President Donald Trump has the ability to establish peace in the Middle East.

CALL FROM GUTERRES

United Nations (UN) Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, in his speech, called for the serious resumption of ceasefire negotiations in Gaza, the release of hostages and detainees, and the removal of all obstacles to the delivery of humanitarian aid to Gaza. Guterres said, "Humanitarian aid cannot be a subject of negotiation. Aid must flow without encountering obstacles."

Stating that a political framework based on the principles of international law is needed for the reconstruction and sustainable stability of Gaza, Guterres said, "Israel's security concerns must be addressed, but these should not be achieved through a long-term Israeli military presence. Gaza must remain part of an independent, democratic, and sovereign Palestinian state, and there should be no talk of shrinking its borders or forcing its population to migrate."

Emphasizing that the situation in the West Bank, where Israel has been conducting deadly raids, is alarming, Guterres said, "More than 40 thousand Palestinians have been forcibly displaced in recent months. This is the largest scale of displacement seen in decades."

Guterres said, "As destruction, evictions, and the expansion of settlements continue to increase, settler violence is also being added to this. All of this further weakens the Palestinian Authority at a time when its role is more important than ever."

Calling for an urgent de-escalation, Guterres invited Israel to comply with its obligations under international law.

"EU IS AGAINST ATTEMPTS AT DEMOGRAPHIC CHANGE"

European Union (EU) Council President Antonio Costa reiterated the EU's commitment to a two-state solution where Palestine and Israel can coexist in peace and security, stating, "Respect for the UN Charter, the rules-based international order, and international law has never been as threatened as it is now. I will be clear: the European Union is against any attempt at demographic and border changes in Gaza. This is also the case for other parts of the world."

Expressing that the EU also supports the reconstruction of Gaza, Costa said that the EU is ready to provide concrete support to the plan proposed by Egypt.

SUPPORT FROM JORDAN

At the summit, King Abdullah II of Jordan said that his country is completely against the forced displacement of Palestinians and supports the reconstruction of Gaza.

"Forcibly displacing the Palestinian people from Gaza is a stain on the face of humanity"

Syrian President Ahmed al-Shara said that his country is one of the unwavering supporters of the Palestinian cause and that they will do their best to provide support for peace and security in the region. Rejecting US President Trump's Gaza plan, al-Shara said, "The call to forcibly displace the Palestinian people from Gaza is, in every respect, a stain on the face of humanity."

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas said he strongly opposes calls for the transfer of the people of Gaza to other places and that he is ready to hold presidential and parliamentary elections if conditions permit.

EGYPT PLAN ADOPTED

Egyptian President Sisi announced in his closing speech at the summit that the leaders of Arab countries have accepted Egypt's plan for the reconstruction of Gaza. Sisi invited other countries to support this plan and to attend the conference to be hosted by Egypt in April regarding the reconstruction of Gaza.

The reconstruction plan, which has not yet been officially announced, is expected to cost 53 billion dollars, almost the same level as the cost envisioned by the United Nations for the reconstruction of Gaza. According to reports based on sources who have seen the draft of the plan, the early recovery and temporary shelter provision phase, which will last six months, is planned to cost 3 billion dollars; the process that will last until 2027 and focus on basic infrastructure needs and the construction of permanent housing is planned to cost 20 billion dollars; and the final phase, which will continue until 2030 and aims to build additional housing, infrastructure, industrial, and commercial facilities, is planned to cost 30 billion dollars.

Developed as an alternative to US President Donald Trump's proposal for the transfer of approximately 2 million Palestinians living in Gaza to other places and the transformation of Gaza into a tourism center, the proposal, referred to as the "Egypt Plan," guarantees that the people of Gaza remain in the places where they live while Gaza is being rebuilt.

In reports in the Egyptian press, the articles of the plan were published, stating that the implementation of the reconstruction plan requires "making arrangements regarding the transitional administration and establishing security in a way that preserves the hope for a two-state solution."

Accordingly, the plan, in which Gaza is described as an inseparable part of Palestinian territory, also includes an article on the establishment of an independent "Gaza Administration" committee to govern the Gaza Strip during the 6-month transition period, consisting of technocrats working under the umbrella of the Palestinian government and not affiliated with any political faction.

The reports stated that the plan also points to the need for a decision to deploy an international peacekeeping force in Palestinian territories for the establishment of a Palestinian state, and that it is envisaged to create a buffer zone after the rubble is cleared in Gaza and to build 20 temporary housing areas with the participation of Egypt and foreign companies.