Arab Summit to Develop Egypt’s Strategic Plan for Gaza Governance
Arab leaders will gather in Cairo to propose a plan for Gaza that diminishes Hamas’s role while promoting governance by Arab, Muslim, and Western entities, contrasting with Trump’s vision. Egypt’s plan aims to provide humanitarian aid and establish transitional governance without endorsing external control, requiring financial backing from Gulf states for effective reconstruction.
Arab leaders are convening in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss a collaborative plan for Gaza that aims to marginalize Hamas while establishing transitional governing bodies involving Arab, Muslim, and Western nations. This initiative is notably different from U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision of a “Middle East Riviera,” highlighting the contentious issue of governance in Gaza, particularly after enduring conflict with Israel and Hamas.
The core issue of Gaza’s future governance remains unresolved amidst ongoing negotiations following a 15-month conflict with Israel. Hamas has explicitly declared its opposition to any externally imposed solutions for Gaza, asserting its right to self-governance and its rejection of foreign intervention, as expressed by senior official Sami Abu Zuhri.
Egypt’s comprehensive strategy has emerged as the leading alternative, as recent diplomatic consultations emphasize its potential to replace Hamas’s authority with a Governance Assistance Mission tasked with humanitarian aid and reconstruction efforts. The plan does not detail financing mechanisms for the estimated $53 billion needed, although Gulf Arab states are expected to contribute significantly in the initial phase.
Many Arab nations, including Egypt and Jordan, oppose Trump’s proposal for a mass exodus of Palestinians, viewing it as a regional security threat. Under Egypt’s proposal, a steering committee from involved nations would facilitate the establishment of a fund aimed at supporting Gaza’s interim governance and organizing donor conferences for long-term rebuilding and development initiatives.
This proposal garners support from several Arab countries, while the United Arab Emirates insists on the complete disarmament of Hamas, contrasting with the more gradual approach favored by other states. Since Hamas displaced the Palestinian Authority in 2007, it has maintained a strong military and security presence in Gaza, now significantly diminished by Israel’s military actions.
In conclusion, the upcoming Arab summit in Cairo presents an opportunity for regional leaders to outline a unified strategy for Gaza, emphasizing governance that excludes Hamas. With Egypt’s proposal being the leading contender, the plan focuses on humanitarian efforts and reconstruction without endorsing U.S. policies that advocate for mass displacement. However, successful implementation hinges on securing substantial financial commitments from Gulf states to support Gaza’s recovery.
Original Source: www.jpost.com
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