Egypt plans to present a proposal for governing Gaza at the Arab League summit, aiming to replace Hamas with a Governance Assistance Mission while addressing reconstruction needs. The plan opposes President Trump’s vision for Gaza, avoiding mass displacement of Palestinians. Financial and governance issues remain unresolved, and Arab states work together to challenge U.S. policies and ensure a sovereign Palestinian leadership.

Egypt is set to propose a plan addressing governance in Gaza during an upcoming Arab League summit. This plan aims to establish interim bodies influenced by Arab, Muslim, and Western states, effectively sidelining Hamas, despite ongoing tensions regarding the leadership of Gaza. The proposal raises questions about reconstruction and governance after the October 2023 attacks, which escalated the existing conflict. Notably, the Egyptian government has not specified whether the plan would precede or follow any permanent peace agreement.

The Egyptian draft plan emphasizes the necessity of an interim Governance Assistance Mission to replace Hamas. The new mission is meant to facilitate humanitarian aid and initiate the reconstruction of Gaza, which has suffered extensive damage due to recent conflicts. However, the draft lacks a clear financial strategy for the reconstruction and does not define the governance structure post-conflict, nor how to displace Hamas from power effectively.

Arab states, including Egypt, Jordan, and several Gulf nations, have collaborated to develop a unified diplomatic response to counter President Trump’s controversial Gaza vision, which suggests displacing Palestinian inhabitants. The Egyptian plan is seen as the leading alternative, yet it remains uncertain whether other Arab leaders will rally behind it.

The proposal firmly rejects the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza as outlined in the U.S. plan. Further diminishing Hamas’ influence is paramount because international financial aid for Gaza’s recovery hinges on reducing the militant group’s control. As noted by White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes, President Trump believes that Hamas cannot continue to govern Gaza.

Hamas officials have stated that any future decisions regarding Gaza’s governance must come from the Palestinian people. They express resistance to foreign intervention or imposition of non-Palestinian governance. The Egyptian proposal does not mention future elections and lacks a defined governance role for the Palestinian Authority, which has seen diminishing support among Palestinians.

Currently, Hamas, backed by Iran, controls the Gaza Strip and has established a robust security framework. The Egyptian draft does not address how the disarming of Hamas will be managed. It also envisions an International Stabilization Force primarily composed of Arab nations to safeguard Gaza during the transitional period, supervised by a dedicated steering board from key international players.

The draft plan recognizes the immense financial need for Gaza’s reconstruction, with estimates ranging over $53 billion according to the UN, yet it does not specify funding sources or commitments. It proposes the establishment of a fund by the steering board to support interim governance and hold donor conferences. Cooperation from oil-rich Gulf states may be essential, although countries like the UAE remain hesitant to fund until Hamas is diminished.

In summary, Egypt’s proposal for Gaza focuses on establishing a temporary governance framework to replace Hamas and aid in reconstruction while navigating the complexities of regional politics and funding. The plan emphasizes Arab leadership in Gaza’s recovery, rejecting foreign imposition, but leaves critical issues about governance and financial commitments underspecified. This development occurs amidst challenges posed by President Trump’s controversial stance and the ongoing resistance from Hamas toward external governance influence.

Original Source: www.arabnews.com

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