Egypt and Jordan have influenced Trump to support an Egyptian post-war plan for Gaza, moving away from proposals for forced Palestinian displacement. Following critical discussions, Hamas agreed to release captives, and plans for Gaza’s governance involve various Palestinian factions without Hamas or the PA, under Egyptian oversight and Gulf state involvement.
In a recent development, Egypt and Jordan have successfully persuaded U.S. President Donald Trump to support an Egyptian plan for Gaza, moving away from the idea of forcibly displacing Palestinians. A senior Egyptian official revealed that King Abdullah II of Jordan’s Washington visit played a crucial role in changing Trump’s stance, emphasizing the potential ramifications of his earlier proposal on regional stability.
The Egyptian official remarked that this will be an Egyptian-led initiative backed by Arab states and confirmed Trump’s approval. Following this effort, Egypt negotiated the release of six captives by Hamas, exceeding that outlined in the ceasefire agreement, as Israel began permitting reconstruction aid into Gaza.
Despite the contentious nature of Trump’s initial proposal to take control of Gaza, there is now a willingness among Arab states to pursue political normalization with Israel while addressing Palestinian self-determination. Jordan’s King Abdullah warned Trump that his earlier plan could provoke extremist reactions and destabilize pro-American governments in the region.
As part of these discussions, it was noted that future governance of Gaza would not solely involve Hamas or the Palestinian Authority, but a newly formed government composed of varied Palestinian factions maintaining order with oversight from Gulf states. Egypt’s strategy is focused on preventing a scenario similar to Lebanon’s civil war, where armed groups retained power after government changes.
The shift in U.S. support towards an Egyptian-led plan for Gaza signifies a potential new direction in regional governance and reconstruction efforts. The agreement aims to balance Arab interests, Palestinian self-governance, and reconstruction needs, while simultaneously addressing the risks of instability. The upcoming discussions among key regional players will be pivotal in shaping the future landscape of Gaza and its governance.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
