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Sisi Announces Arab Endorsement of Egypt’s Plan for Gaza Reconstruction

During an Arab League summit in Cairo on March 5, 2025, President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi announced that Arab leaders endorsed Egypt’s reconstruction plan for Gaza, which aims to restore the area without displacing Palestinians. The Palestinian Authority expressed readiness to resume governance, while the plan outlines a five-year strategy costing $53 billion, designed to address urgent rebuilding needs amidst ongoing tensions with Israel.

On March 5, 2025, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al Sisi announced that Arab leaders endorsed Egypt’s plan for Gaza reconstruction during an Arab League summit in Cairo. The plan seeks to restore Gaza without displacing its Palestinian inhabitants, presenting a counterproposal to a widely criticized initiative by former US President Donald Trump. The Palestinian Authority, under Mahmoud Abbas, signaled its willingness to retake governance in Gaza, which has been controlled by Hamas since 2007.

President Sisi emphasized that the Egyptian plan aims to keep Palestinians on their land, promoting a political process for a fair resolution to the Palestinian situation. He stated, “I am confident that President Trump is capable of doing that,” refraining from direct criticism of the US policy. Under this plan, an oversight committee of Palestinian technocrats would govern Gaza, facilitating the Palestinian Authority’s return to power.

Abbas, addressing the summit, indicated that a working committee is being established to prepare for the PA’s role in Gaza, focusing on restructuring and training its security personnel in Egypt and Jordan. A detailed draft of the Egyptian plan outlines a five-year strategy with projected costs of $53 billion, mirroring the UN’s estimates for Gaza’s reconstruction needs.

The first phase of the plan, lasting six months with a budget of $3 billion, prioritizes clearing unexploded ordnance and debris while providing temporary housing. Subsequent stages focus on essential infrastructure and permanent housing, culminating in increased commercial development by 2030. An internationally supervised trust fund is proposed to monitor financial resources transparently.

Amid these developments, UN Chief Antonio Guterres expressed strong support for the Arab-led initiative, indicating readiness for UN collaboration. Key regional players, including the Saudi Crown Prince, were notably absent, highlighting the need for substantial Saudi backing for any reconstruction efforts. As humanitarian conditions in Gaza worsen, Hamas has reiterated the importance of an effective Arab role in alleviating the crisis and preventing further displacement of Palestinians.

The Arab League summit in Cairo highlighted the endorsement of Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan, designed to restore the region without displacing its Palestinian residents. The Palestinian Authority’s potential return to governance presents complexities, particularly given ongoing geopolitical tensions. The outlined reconstruction plan, with significant financial backing and oversight measures, aims to address urgent humanitarian needs in Gaza, amidst a challenging ceasefire with Israel.

Original Source: jordantimes.com

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