CAIRO. Arab leaders have officially endorsed Egypt’s postwar reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, ensuring that its nearly 2 million Palestinian residents remain in the territory rather than be displaced. The plan, valued at $53 billion, was approved during a summit in Cairo on Tuesday as an alternative to U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal, which suggested depopulating Gaza and redeveloping it as a coastal destination.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi praised the unified stance of Arab nations, stating, “The consensus among the Arab countries to support the reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip allows the Palestinian people to stay on their land without displacement.”
In a statement posted on social media following the summit, el-Sissi added, “I look forward to working with President Trump, other Arab nations, and the international community to adopt a plan that aims for a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian issue, end the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, guarantees the security and stability of the peoples of the region and establishes the Palestinian state.”
The White House responded to the summit’s conclusions with cautious acknowledgment but maintained its stance against Hamas’ continued governance of Gaza.
“President Trump has been clear that Hamas cannot continue to govern Gaza,” said White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes. “While the President stands by his bold vision for a postwar Gaza, he welcomes input from our Arab partners in the region. It’s clear his proposals have driven the region to come to the table rather than allow this issue to devolve into further crisis.”
Israel, however, rejected Egypt’s proposal, with Foreign Ministry spokesperson Oren Marmorstein stating that the plan “fails to address the realities of the situation.” He criticized the summit’s joint communique for not mentioning Hamas’ October 7, 2023, attack that ignited the war, calling the Egyptian proposal “rooted in outdated perspectives.”
Marmorstein reiterated Israel’s support for Trump’s proposal to resettle Gaza’s population elsewhere, describing it as “an opportunity for the Gazans to have free choice based on their free will.”
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty strongly condemned Israel’s stance, calling it “unacceptable” and labeling its position as “stubborn and extremist.”
“There will be no peace for Israel or for the region without establishing an independent Palestinian state in accordance with United Nations resolutions,” Abdelatty declared. “Israel violates all international law rules … international law must be imposed.” He further emphasized, “No single state should be allowed to impose its will on the international community.”
Hamas welcomed the Arab summit’s decision, calling it a significant step in aligning Arab and Islamic nations with the Palestinian cause. The group also expressed appreciation for Arab leaders’ rejection of attempts to transfer Palestinians out of Gaza and the occupied West Bank.
Meanwhile, Israel has embraced what it describes as an alternative U.S. proposal for a ceasefire and the release of hostages taken by Hamas during the October 7 attack. As part of its strategy, Israel has restricted the entry of food, fuel, medicine, and other supplies into Gaza to pressure Hamas into accepting the new proposal. Human rights organizations have condemned this blockade, citing violations of international law regarding obligations as an occupying power.
The alternative ceasefire proposal reportedly includes Hamas releasing half of its remaining hostages in exchange for a ceasefire extension and further negotiations toward a lasting truce. However, Israel has made no mention of releasing additional Palestinian prisoners, a key condition of previous agreements.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the Arab summit’s endorsement of Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan underscores a deepening divide between regional actors and the U.S.-Israel approach to resolving the ongoing conflict.
Si Venus L Peñaflor ay naging editor-in-chief ng Newsworld, isang lokal na pahayagan ng Laguna. Publisher din siya ng Daystar Gazette at Tutubi News Magazine. Siya ay isa ring pintor at doll face designer ng Ninay Dolls, ang unang Manikang Pilipino. Kasali siya sa DesignCrowd sa rank na #305 sa 640,000 graphic designers sa buong daigdig. Kasama din siya sa unang Local TV Broadcast sa Laguna na Beyond Manila. Aktibong kasapi siya ng San Pablo Jaycees Senate bilang isang JCI Senator.
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
- Venus L Peñaflorhttps://tutubi.ph/author/venusp/
