Egyptian Alternative to Trump’s Gaza Plan
The Arab League introduced a $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza at an Emergency Summit in Cairo, responding to Israel’s halt of humanitarian aid. The Cairo Declaration outlines a strategy that includes governance by qualified Gazans, UN peacekeeping support, and reaffirms commitment to a two-state solution. Importantly, the document does not mention Hamas for the first time, raising questions about future Palestinian leadership and governance amidst ongoing tensions with Israel.
On March 4, 2025, an Emergency Summit of the Arab League convened in Cairo and adopted a $53 billion Egyptian plan aimed at the reconstruction of Gaza, presented as a “comprehensive Arab strategy”. This significant movement followed Israel’s cessation of all humanitarian aid to Gaza, after the first phase of the Israel-Hamas Agreement. The Cairo Declaration represents a unified Arab initiative for Gaza’s recovery, which is contingent upon the proper execution of the current ceasefire agreement, particularly involving Israeli actions.
This Declaration builds on the Bahrain Declaration from the previous Arab League Summit in May 2024. Among its provisions, it suggests the formation of a “Gaza administration committee” of qualified Gazans for a transitional period, and establishes a “trust fund” aimed at recovery and reconstruction, backed by financial and political support based on analyses from the World Bank and UN Development Fund. The proposal reiterates the call for UN peacekeeping forces in Gaza and maintains an Arab League commitment to a two-state solution for the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
It is significant to note that the Cairo Declaration maintains the longstanding Arab position outlined in the Arab Peace Initiative from 2002, which conditions acceptance of Israeli sovereignty on the establishment of a Palestinian state that aligns with international law. The plan also stresses the necessity of unifying all Palestinian factions under the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), designating it as the legitimate representative of the Palestinian populace.
Contrary to expectations, the Cairo Declaration does not explicitly address Hamas or advocate for its removal, leaving potential space for the organization to continue its role in the interim. Israeli and U.S. representatives have criticized the Summit’s decisions, citing the absence of Hamas in the document as a notable shortcoming. Additionally, the Declaration envisions the transitional administration as a temporary entity leading to eventual governance by the Palestinian Authority (PA), which Israel has opposed in recent months.
Hamas has reacted positively to the Declaration, particularly because it signals the possibility of new elections after years of political strife, as the last elections in 2006 resulted in a Hamas majority. Nevertheless, concerns linger regarding the prospect of Hamas or candidates affiliated with it winning again. The popularity of Hamas appears to remain stable despite significant past challenges.
The Declaration condemns any notion of “ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians and explicitly recognizes the roles of Jordan and Egypt in addressing displacement issues, which stands in stark opposition to recent U.S. proposals that suggested relocating displaced Gazans to these neighbors. Additionally, it reaffirms the Arab demand for Israel’s total withdrawal from Gaza, underscoring the prerequisite for lasting peace arrangements.
The intended sequence for peace involves ending Israeli military actions, establishing a reconstruction and interim governance plan accepted by all stakeholders—including Israel and Hamas—and resolving the political questions surrounding Palestinian statehood. While the Cairo Declaration serves as a stepping stone towards future actions, its successful implementation hinges on cooperation from Israel, which, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, has historically resisted such initiatives.
Despite reiterating the vision of a two-state solution, prospects for its realization remain grim as the expansion of Israeli settlements continues unabated. The growing settler population in the West Bank has been linked to the diminishing viability for an independent Palestinian state, raising significant doubts about the feasibility of any two-state framework that the Cairo Declaration seeks to reaffirm.
The Cairo Declaration emerges as a pivotal response to ongoing conflict and humanitarian crises in Gaza, emphasizing a collective Arab approach to reconstruction contingent on a ceasefire and inclusive governance. While it challenges recent propositions from the U.S. and Israel, including the management of Palestinian governance and territorial matters, its success is heavily predicated on Israel’s cooperation and the restraint of settlement activities. Ultimately, the Declaration strives for a renewed dialogue surrounding the two-state solution, though substantial obstacles remain.
Original Source: indianexpress.com
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