Arab leaders met in Cairo to counter Trump’s Gaza plan by proposing Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction proposal. This plan emphasizes Palestinian-led efforts, rebuffs the idea of displacing residents, and seeks collaboration while facing opposition from Hamas. Ongoing tensions and uncertainties surrounding funding and political dynamics hinder immediate progress in the reconstruction efforts.

Arab leaders gathered in Cairo for an emergency summit to counter President Donald Trump’s Gaza plan. The focus was on Egyptian proposals for a $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza, aimed at presenting an alternative to Trump’s controversial suggestion of resettling Gazans beyond the enclave. Although Egypt initially showed little interest in Gaza’s reconstruction, the need for a comprehensive plan has arisen due to national security considerations regarding displaced Palestinians.

Egypt’s reconstruction plan is divided into two phases: the first phase, costing about $20 billion over two years, focuses on rebuilding residential areas. The second phase, projected at $30 billion, spans two and a half years. Importantly, this plan does not advocate the displacement of Gaza’s residents, contrasting sharply with Trump’s vision. However, it has faced outright rejection from Hamas, and the Palestinian Authority has expressed it will not cooperate as long as Hamas remains in control.

“The Saudis will fund Gaza if there’s a path to a Palestinian state and Hamas is gone,” stated Ghaith Al-Omari, a senior fellow at the Washington Institute. He emphasized that financial support from Saudi Arabia, the UAE, and Qatar would depend on obtaining reciprocal agreements from Israel regarding war resolution and security.

Danny Zaken, a senior commentator, noted that the final draft of the Egyptian plan might avoid directly addressing Hamas, emphasizing cooperation with Palestinian security forces instead. Nevertheless, there are serious doubts about the practical viability of the plan, given the absence of financial backing for its implementation.

An Egyptian diplomatic source revealed that while local construction firms are even prepared to begin work on Gaza’s recovery, the underlying political challenges must first be addressed. Egyptian firms could effectively rebuild Gaza in three years, contingent upon political willingness from Israel and the U.S.

Tensions have arisen with Gulf states regarding Egypt’s desire to manage the reconstruction process, as many partners are concerned about potential corruption and the allocation of funds. Moreover, a former U.S. official voiced skepticism regarding Egypt’s handling of reconstruction finances, indicating that Gulf states would demand stringent oversight.

Jordan has tactfully navigated this issue, maintaining a distance from the reconstruction discussions. Following King Abdullah’s meeting with President Trump, Jordanian officials now perceive less pressure to accept Gazan refugees. Al-Omari mentioned that Arab leaders are primarily focused on managing their diplomatic relations with Trump regarding the future of Gaza.

Despite ongoing discussions about reconstruction, there remains uncertainty about Gaza’s political future. Al-Omari articulated that Arab governments are attempting to subtly influence Trump’s perception of Gaza, hoping to steer him away from ideas surrounding its depopulation. As the summit unfolds, a former diplomatic source commented, “There’s no real plan yet – just ideas.”

In summary, Arab leaders convened in Cairo to deliberate on a reconstruction plan for Gaza in response to Trump’s controversial proposals. Egypt’s $53 billion plan aims to support Palestinians without their displacement, but faces rejection from Hamas and skepticism regarding its execution. Potential funding from Gulf states hinges on political dynamics, and the broader geopolitical landscape continues to complicate the reconstruction efforts. There remains a significant uncertainty regarding the political future of Gaza, pending resolution of Hamas’s fate.

Original Source: www.foxnews.com

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