Arab leaders met in Cairo to endorse Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, firmly rejecting President Trump’s idea of relocating its inhabitants. The plan includes immediate recovery efforts for displaced individuals, followed by extensive reconstruction phases set to last until 2030. Regional leaders emphasized the need for Palestinian sovereignty and a comprehensive peace process alongside reconstruction efforts.

Arab leaders convened in Cairo for an emergency summit to endorse Egypt’s plan for reconstructing the war-torn Gaza Strip, resolutely opposing U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal of relocating its inhabitants. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi emphasized the necessity of maintaining Palestinian presence in Gaza, asserting that the plan safeguards their rights and allows for the reconstruction of their homeland.

The comprehensive reconstruction initiative, estimated at $53 billion, includes a six-month recovery period to provide temporary housing for 1.5 million displaced Gazans. Following this, a two-phase reconstruction process is anticipated: the first phase costing $20 billion over two years, and the second phase lasting 2.5 years at $30 billion, projected to conclude by 2030.

Al-Sisi described the Israeli military actions in Gaza as attempts to forcibly displace the population, highlighting the Palestinian people’s resilience in maintaining their territory. He announced efforts to form a competent administrative committee composed of Palestinian technocrats to oversee Gaza’s relief operations and prepare for the return of the Palestinian Authority while stressing the importance of Palestinian security personnel for maintaining order during this transition.

A parallel peace initiative, supported by international community engagement, is necessary for a comprehensive and lasting resolution to the Palestinian issue, according to Al-Sisi. He solicited collaboration at an upcoming reconstruction conference hosted by Egypt, stating, “There will be no genuine peace without an independent Palestinian state.”

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas voiced his full endorsement of Egypt’s plan while outright rejecting any notion of displacing Palestinians. He urged Arab leaders to rally behind Gaza’s reconstruction efforts and called for increased unity among Palestinian factions, affirming the need for the Palestinian Authority to fulfill its responsibilities in Gaza.

King Abdullah of Jordan also condemned any attempts to displace Palestinians, affirming support for the reconstruction plan and reiterating that a two-state solution is essential for achieving lasting peace. He characterized this commitment as a roadmap for regional stability.

U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the urgency of the summit as a collective global responsibility in addressing the crisis and fostering peace. He underscored the necessity of a political framework to facilitate Gaza’s recovery, highlighting that it must not come at the expense of the Palestinian right to self-governance.

At the conclusion of their meeting, Arab leaders were anticipated to formally endorse Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan, marking a clear rejection of Trump’s controversial proposal to transform Gaza into a relocatable settlement.

In conclusion, the Arab summit in Cairo prominently endorsed Egypt’s reconstruction plan for Gaza, reaffirming the Palestinian right to remain in their homeland. The initiative includes substantial financial commitments and a strategic framework designed to foster both recovery and future political solutions. The regional leaders collectively rejected external proposals that threaten Palestinian sovereignty, emphasizing the necessity for a two-state resolution. The summit underscored a unified stance on maintaining peace and addressing humanitarian needs in Gaza.

Original Source: www.upi.com

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