Egypt, along with the World Bank, is devising a reconstruction plan for Gaza that excludes Hamas from governance. Funding proposals are expected from Arab states contingent on the rights of Palestinians to remain in Gaza. The future of Hamas remains a critical issue affecting the plan’s viability, along with concerns from the Palestinian Authority about division between governance in Gaza and the West Bank.
Egypt, in collaboration with the World Bank, is formulating an alternative plan for reconstructing the Gaza Strip while excluding Hamas from governance. This initiative proposes to place reconstruction efforts under the management of a community support committee with no Hamas members involved. However, uncertainties surrounding Hamas’s military status in Gaza may hinder Israeli support for this plan.
Funding for reconstruction is anticipated from Arab nations like the UAE and Qatar, provided that Palestinians can remain in Gaza rather than being compelled to relocate to Egypt or Jordan. With 65% of Gaza’s properties destroyed, the reconstruction process is estimated to require three to five years.
European sources highlight the challenge of securing guarantees for Israel, as no Arab state is willing to deploy troops without a clear political framework for a Palestinian state. An Arab summit is scheduled in Riyadh on February 27, where alternate proposals to the Trump plan will be discussed.
While Saudi Arabia hasn’t explicitly stated Hamas’s exclusion, Anwar Gargash from the UAE endorsed Ahmed Aboul Gheit’s call for Hamas to depart from governance. Aboul Gheit noted the need to prioritize Palestinian interests over organizational preferences amid concerns over displacement from Gaza due to ongoing conflicts.
The proposed reconstruction committee would feature independent experts and civil society members, aiming to prevent any single faction from gaining dominance. Moderate diplomats believe the Trump plan is impractical, but some feel it must be addressed to steer away from its implementation.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) remains wary of the committee approach, fearing it could solidify a separation between West Bank and Gaza governance. Jibril Rajoub, of Fatah, criticized the proposal, branding it a precursor to division and insisting on government unity.
US Secretary of State Marco Rubio indicated that any plan permitting Hamas’s presence in Gaza would encounter Israeli opposition, thereby risking a return to previous stalemates.
Egypt seeks to reshape Gaza’s reconstruction strategy, distancing it from Hamas’s influence through a proposed community-led committee. Financial backing is largely dependent on Arab nations, but Israel’s security concerns and the future of Hamas complicate matters. The Palestinian Authority’s apprehension regarding the plan highlights concerns over political division. The success of these efforts hinges on collaborative engagement among regional stakeholders.
Original Source: www.theguardian.com
