A group of Arab state and government leaders on Tuesday approved an Egyptian plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, which is expected to cost 53 billion dollars and prevent the displacement of the Palestinian population. This plan stands in contrast to the vision of US President Donald Trump of a “Nahalistic Riviera” in the region.
The White House stated that the plan, which was accepted at an Arab summit in Cairo, does not take into account the “current uninhabitability” of the narrow coastal strip. US President Donald Trump still stands by his proposal to rebuild the Gaza Strip, which has been freed from the control of the Hamas, a militant group.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi said the Egyptian plan, which was criticized by Israel and the US, was accepted at the end of a summit in Cairo. Sisi stated that he is sure Trump will be able to bring about peace, as the Gaza Strip has been devastated by Israel’s military strikes.
The most important questions that need to be answered regarding the future of the Gaza Strip are who will govern the enclave and which countries will provide the 53 billion dollars needed for the reconstruction.
Sisi stated that his country has worked together with the Palestinians to establish a committee of Palestinian experts, which will take control of the Gaza Strip during a six-month transitional period, under the “supervision” of the Palestinian government, before the Palestinian Authority, led by President Mahmoud Abbas, takes full control.
The Israeli Foreign Ministry described the plan as “outdated” rejected the binding of the Palestinian Authority to the plans for the future of the Gaza Strip and complained that the plan would keep the Hamas in power.
The Hamas has agreed to not put forward any candidates for the committee proposed by Cairo, but would have to agree to the tasks, members and agenda of the committee, which would work under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated that the names of the people who will participate in the committee have already been decided.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who leads the Palestinian Authority, welcomed the Egyptian idea and called on Trump to support a plan that does not involve the displacement of the Palestinian population.
A financing of the reconstruction would require a strong involvement of the oil-rich Arab Gulf states, such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, which have the necessary 53 billion dollars.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammed Mustafa said the reconstruction fund will focus on international financing and supervision and is likely to be seated at the World Bank.
The United Arab Emirates, which views the Hamas and other militias as an existential threat, wants an immediate and complete disarming of the group, while other Arab countries support a step-by-step approach, as a source close to the matter told Reuters.
A source close to the Saudi royal court said the continued armed presence of the Hamas in the Gaza Strip is a stumbling block, as the US and Israel, who must approve any plan, have strong objections.
In a speech at the summit, Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan said international guarantees are necessary to ensure the current temporary ceasefire remains in place. He supports the role of the Palestinian Authority in the management of the strip.