At a recent Arab League summit in Cairo, leaders endorsed Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza. President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi highlighted the need for a Palestinian state for lasting peace amidst ongoing tensions regarding Hamas’ disarmament. The plan outlines a multi-phase approach for rebuilding housing and infrastructure. The initiative has received backing from the United Nations and European Union, with cautious optimism expressed in Gaza about potential collaboration, pending significant funding from Gulf states.
An extraordinary meeting of the Arab League in Cairo has resulted in the endorsement of Egypt’s ambitious reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, which is projected to cost $53 billion over five years. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sissi emphasized the necessity for a Palestinian state to achieve lasting peace during the summit’s closing session. He reiterated that peace cannot be imposed by force.
Despite the positive outcomes from the summit, Israel remains resistant to the plan, insisting on Hamas’ disarmament as a prerequisite for progressing the ceasefire, a condition Hamas views as an unacceptable mandate. The Israeli Foreign Ministry expressed skepticism, stating that discussions in Cairo did not fully acknowledge the complexities following Hamas’s assault on Israel on October 7, 2023.
Details from the reconstruction plan, contained in a 112-page draft, reveal an initial focus on debris removal and temporary housing within a six-month recovery phase, costing approximately $3 billion. The comprehensive strategy outlines the construction of 200,000 housing units within two years, with a target of hundreds of thousands of new homes by 2030, alongside infrastructure improvements including an airport and industrial zones.
Further international support has been rallied for the Egyptian initiative, with endorsements from both the United Nations and the European Union. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed strong support for the Arab-led initiative, while EU Council President Antonio Costa highlighted its potential positive impact for millions of Palestinians, stressing the necessity to mitigate the suffering experienced over the past 18 months.
The summit also featured participation from leaders such as Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa and Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa. President Al-Khalifa recognized Egypt’s strategic efforts in their proposal, while President Sharaa noted the significance of regional cooperation in addressing the ongoing crisis.
Reactions from Gaza indicate cautious approval of the reconstruction effort, as Hamas expressed a desire for a collaborative Arab role in alleviating humanitarian distress caused by the occupation. However, significant financial backing from affluent Gulf states such as the UAE and Saudi Arabia will be essential for the success of the reconstruction plan.
In summary, the extraordinary Arab League summit in Cairo resulted in the endorsement of Egypt’s $53 billion plan to reconstruct Gaza. The initiative seeks to address the extensive damage inflicted during the recent conflict, with substantial international support. However, ongoing tensions surrounding Hamas’ disarmament requirements and the need for regional consensus may impact the plan’s implementation. The response from Gaza has been cautiously optimistic, recognizing the importance of regional cooperation, while substantial financial investment from Gulf states will be crucial for the reconstruction to proceed effectively.
Original Source: www.dw.com
