At an extraordinary Arab League summit in Cairo, Egypt unveiled a comprehensive $53 billion plan to rebuild Gaza, which has been devastated by ongoing conflict. The five-year proposal was endorsed by Arab leaders and received backing from the United Nations and the European Union.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi presented the plan, emphasizing the need for a sustainable peace that would allow Palestinians to stay on their land. The proposal, which aims to rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure, includes the construction of 400,000 housing units, an airport, industrial zones, and parks, with the first phase focusing on rubble removal and temporary housing within six months.
The plan also envisions a future Palestinian-run administration for Gaza, with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas signaling readiness to participate in the process. The UN and EU voiced strong support for the initiative, with UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressing readiness to cooperate on its implementation.
Despite these endorsements, the plan has faced opposition from Israel, which insists that Hamas must disarm for any lasting peace. The US, while acknowledging the Egyptian proposal, continues to maintain that Hamas cannot remain in power in Gaza.
Hamas, which currently controls Gaza, has expressed its support for Egypt’s initiative, calling for Arab involvement to alleviate the humanitarian crisis.
This reconstruction effort comes as a counter to former US President Trump’s controversial “Gaza Riviera” vision, which proposed transforming Gaza into a resort-like area by displacing Palestinian residents. Egyptian officials, while critical of Trump’s plan, still believe peace is achievable with the right approach.
Sources: Arab League Summit, UN Statements, European Union Comments
