Photo: AFP

In a decisive move reflecting regional unity and strategic vision, Arab leaders have collectively endorsed a $53 billion plan to reconstruct the Gaza Strip. This initiative, presented during an Arab League summit in Cairo, serves as a counterproposal to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial suggestion to depopulate Gaza and redevelop it as a luxury destination. 

The Egyptian-led reconstruction plan emphasizes the importance of allowing Gaza’s approximately two million Palestinian residents to remain in their homeland. It outlines a comprehensive strategy that includes clearing debris and unexploded ordnance, developing renewable energy sources, and building new infrastructure such as temporary housing, agricultural lands, and ports. The plan also proposes the establishment of a “Gaza management committee” under the umbrella of the Palestinian government, comprising qualified technocrats to oversee the reconstruction efforts. 

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi expressed his appreciation for the consensus among Arab nations to support this reconstruction plan, highlighting that it allows the Palestinian people to stay on their land without displacement. He emphasized the need for a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian issue, aiming to establish an independent Palestinian state and ensure regional stability. 

The endorsement of this plan signifies a unified Arab stance against proposals that involve the displacement of Palestinians. Arab League chief Ahmed Aboul Gheit underscored the rejection of any form of displacement, whether voluntary or forced, reiterating the commitment to preserving Palestinian rights and identity. 

In contrast, the White House dismissed the Egyptian proposal as unworkable, with National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes stating that it does not address the current uninhabitable conditions in Gaza. He reaffirmed President Trump’s vision to rebuild Gaza free from Hamas, indicating a preference for alternative solutions. 

The Arab leaders’ collective endorsement of the $53 billion reconstruction plan reflects a strategic effort to counter external proposals that threaten the demographic and cultural fabric of Gaza. By focusing on sustainable development and self-governance, the plan aims to empower Palestinians and pave the way for lasting peace and stability in the region.