Arab League 'Challenges' Trump to Adopt Egyptian Proposal on Gaza Reconstruction

CAIRO, WEDNESDAY — Arab countries have agreed to approve and will implement the Gaza reconstruction proposal designed by Egypt. This plan is estimated to require a cost of 53 billion US dollars or approximately Rp 872 trillion.

The agreement was decided at the Emergency Summit of the Arab League in Cairo, Egypt, on Tuesday (4/3/2025). The outcome of the meeting contradicts U.S. President Donald Trump's plan to turn Gaza into a beach tourism destination in the Middle East.

In his proposal, Trump suggested relocating Palestinian residents to other countries, including Jordan or Egypt. Hamas accepted and welcomed the decision of the Arab League positively, while Israel criticized Egypt's plan.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, during the emergency meeting of Arab leaders, explained that to realize the reconstruction plan, Egypt has collaborated with Palestine to form an administrative committee. The committee will consist of independent and professional Palestinian technocrats.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated that the names of individuals who will be part of the committee have been decided. They will be entrusted with governing Gaza after the war ends.

The committee will also be responsible for overseeing humanitarian aid and managing all affairs in the Gaza Strip temporarily. This step will also serve as preparation for the return of the Palestinian Authority (PA).

The reconstruction plan for Gaza proposed by Egypt estimates the rebuilding of Gaza by 2030 without relocating its residents. The first phase—estimated to last six months—begins with the removal of unexploded ordnance and the clearing of at least 50 million tons of debris from bombings and military attacks by Israel.

Egypt will host an international conference in cooperation with the UN for the reconstruction of Gaza. A representative fund for the initial recovery and reconstruction plan will be created under the supervision of the World Bank.

In a 112-page draft of the Gaza reconstruction plan, obtained by The Associated Press, it says hundreds of thousands of temporary housing units will be built for Gazans during reconstruction. Debris will be recycled. Some will be used as fill to expand land on Gaza's Mediterranean coast.

In the following years, the plan was realized by completely overhauling the Gaza Strip, building sustainable, green, and walkable housing and urban areas powered by renewable energy.

Agricultural lands will also be improved and there will be industrial zones and large park areas. The airport will also be opened. So will the fishing port and commercial port.

The Oslo peace accords of the 1990s called for the opening of an airport and a commercial port in Gaza. But those projects failed as the peace process collapsed.

Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit said the Egyptian plan paves the way for a new security and political context in Gaza.

Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, has agreed to the administrative committee's proposal. Hamas would hand over power to an interim government made up of independent politicians until a reformed Palestinian Authority can take over. Hamas has also agreed not to nominate candidates for the committee.

However, Hamas must still be involved in approving the tasks, members, and agenda of the committee that will work under the supervision of the PA. "This result is a step forward for Arab and Islamic support behind the Palestinian cause. We appreciate the Arab stance that rejects attempts to displace our people," Hamas said.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who heads the PA, also welcomed the Egyptian plan. Abbas urged Trump to support such a plan that would not displace Palestinians.

Abbas, who has been in power since 2005, said he is ready to hold presidential and parliamentary elections if conditions permit. Hamas also agrees to hold elections. However, Hamas insists it will not give up its weapons until the establishment of a Palestinian state.

Israel, on the other hand, says the reconstruction plan does not address the realities of the situation following Hamas's October 7 attacks on Israel. The Israeli Foreign Ministry says the Egyptian plan is rooted in outdated perspectives. Israel rejects dependence on the PA and fears that Hamas will be left in power with the plan.

Israel remains adamant about Trump's idea of taking over the Gaza Strip and rebuilding it as a tourist destination, an idea that has been flatly rejected by the Palestinians and Arab states and is a clear violation of international law.

Egypt will seek support from Muslim countries for its reconstruction plan at an emergency summit of foreign ministers of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) scheduled to be held on Friday (7/3/2025) in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

Any reconstruction funding would require strong support from oil-rich Gulf Arab states such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia. Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa said reconstruction funds would also be sought from the international community and overseen by the World Bank.

The White House welcomed the Arab countries’ input, but stressed that Hamas cannot remain in power. “President Trump has made it clear that Hamas cannot continue to rule Gaza,” White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes said.

The United Arab Emirates, which sees Hamas and other Islamist groups as an existential threat, wants Hamas to be disarmed immediately and completely, while other Arab states advocate a gradual approach.

A source close to the Saudi royal court said Hamas' continued armed presence in Gaza was a stumbling block. Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri rejected Israeli and US calls for Hamas to disarm, saying Hamas has the right to fight and this is non-negotiable.

Abu Zuhri told Reuters that Hamas would not accept any attempt to impose any non-Palestinian project or form of government or the presence of foreign troops. Since Hamas ousted the PA from Gaza after a brief civil war in 2007, it has crushed all opposition there.

Before the reconstruction plan goes ahead, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan warned that there needs to be international guarantees for the current temporary ceasefire in Gaza to remain in effect. (REUTERS/AFP/AP)