Arab leaders convened in Cairo to endorse Egypt’s reconstruction plan for Gaza, rejecting Trump’s idea of displacing its residents. The comprehensive plan aims to support the nearly two million Gazans still residing there, emphasizing their rights to remain on their land and rebuild. Leaders highlighted the need for a parallel peace process to ensure long-term resolution and stability in the region.
On March 4, Arab leaders gathered in Cairo for an emergency summit aimed at endorsing Egypt’s reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, firmly opposing U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate its residents. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi emphasized that this initiative preserves the rights of Palestinians to rebuild their homeland without displacement. The comprehensive $53 billion plan includes a six-month recovery phase where temporary housing will be provided for 1.5 million displaced Gazans, followed by a two-phase reconstruction process lasting until 2030.
During his address, President al-Sisi noted that the “fierce” Israeli warfare sought to forcibly remove Gazans from their land, underscoring the resilience of the Palestinian people. Egypt is collaborating with Palestinian technocrats to establish an administrative committee to manage Gaza temporarily and facilitate aid operations until the return of the Palestinian Authority, which is additionally receiving support for training its security forces from Jordan.
Al-Sisi called for the reconstruction plan to be accompanied by a parallel peace initiative backed by the global community to achieve a fair settlement for the Palestinian cause. He urged nations to participate in the upcoming reconstruction conference hosted by Egypt, stating that true peace can only be achieved through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his solidarity with Egypt’s Gaza plan, denouncing any attempts to displace Palestinians. He highlighted the urgency for Arab support amidst significant challenges facing the Palestinian cause and encouraged the Palestinian Authority to enhance its role in Gaza while fostering unity among factions. Similarly, Jordan’s King Abdullah vehemently opposed all efforts to displace Palestinians and affirmed Jordan’s commitment to the reconstruction plan, advocating for a two-state solution as the only path to enduring peace.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres reinforced the summit’s significance, stressing the global obligation to support peace efforts and alleviate human suffering in the region. He called for an avoidance of renewed hostilities and emphasized a political framework for Gaza’s recovery and stability, highlighting that Palestinians must have the right to govern themselves. He reiterated that lasting peace can only be achieved through a two-state solution in accordance with international law.
The Cairo summit underscored Arab leaders’ firm commitment to supporting Egypt’s reconstruction plan for Gaza and rejecting the displacement of its inhabitants. The collaborative efforts reflect a unified stance on fostering Palestinian self-governance and pursuing a two-state solution to achieve lasting peace in the region, with significant support from the international community.
Original Source: www.upi.com
