Egypt has outright rejected Israeli opposition leader Yair Lapid’s proposal for Cairo to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction after the recent Israel-Hamas conflict. This proposal, labeled “The Egyptian Solution,” was aimed at strengthening Israeli security while maintaining Palestinian sovereignty. Egyptian leaders reaffirmed their commitment to rebuild Gaza without displacing its residents and criticized previous foreign plans that suggested otherwise.
Egypt has firmly rejected any proposal to manage the Gaza Strip following the recent conflict between Israel and Hamas. According to sources cited by the Saudi television channel Al-Hadath, Cairo emphasized that Gaza will remain under Palestinian control and noted its commitment to rebuilding the area without displacing residents.
The proposal, referred to as “The Egyptian Solution” by former Israeli Prime Minister Yair Lapid, proposed that Egypt oversee the reconstruction of Gaza for a period of 8-15 years in exchange for the forgiveness of its substantial external debt. Lapid highlighted Egypt’s longstanding strategic importance in the region.
Egypt’s Foreign Ministry spokesman, Tamim Khalaf, rejected Lapid’s suggestions, reiterating that Gaza must be governed solely by Palestinians. Khalaf also mentioned Egypt’s refusal of previous cost proposals, including those from former U.S. President Donald Trump, which aimed to relocate Palestinians during rebuilding efforts.
Lapid aimed to clarify that his plan was partially to enhance Israel’s security by ensuring that Gaza’s management does not involve Hamas. He envisaged a complete separation from Gaza over the next decade.
Under Lapid’s proposal, Egypt would take responsibility for demilitarizing Gaza and curbing arms smuggling, with the international community stepping in to assist with Egypt’s debt in return. He argued against allowing terrorist entities like Hamas to control territories while others manage civilian affairs.
In recent discussions, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi met with leaders from Saudi Arabia, Jordan, the UAE, and Qatar to promote Egypt’s alternative strategy to that of Trump’s, emphasizing the need for rebuilding Gaza without displacing its inhabitants.
Al-Sisi reiterated this stance during a press conference, underscoring the necessity of the international community to adopt a reconstruction plan that does not involve displacing Palestinians.
Additionally, Egypt announced an emergency Arab summit to explore the significant challenges facing Palestinians, which is set for March 5, following a request from Palestinian representatives.
In summary, Egypt has categorically rejected Israeli proposals for managing Gaza post-war, reaffirming its commitment to Palestinian sovereignty over the territory. This decision reflects Egypt’s long-standing position regarding Gaza’s governance amidst ongoing discussions about regional stability and reconstruction. The upcoming Arab summit signifies the urgency in addressing the Palestinian situation. The broader concern remains how international support aligns with Palestinian needs.
Original Source: www.algemeiner.com
