Egypt has secured support from Arab leaders for a counterproposal aimed at rebuilding Gaza while retaining its Palestinian population. The initiative emphasizes sustainable development without displacing people, contrasting sharply with Trump’s controversial plan to depopulate Gaza. The initiative signifies a firm stance against international law violations and incorporates negotiations for hostage releases, vital for achieving a ceasefire and lasting peace.
Egypt has announced that Arab leaders have endorsed a counterproposal to U.S. President Trump’s Gaza plan, which aims to maintain the population of around 2 million Palestinians in the Gaza Strip. During a summit in Cairo, Arab leaders proposed this alternative plan amid uncertainty regarding the continuation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire. Key figures in attendance included the emir of Qatar, the UAE’s vice president, and Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, highlighting significant regional support for Egypt’s initiative.
The plan seeks to rebuild Gaza by 2030 without displacing its population, unlike Trump’s controversial plan which suggested relocating the Palestinian people to other countries. Elements of Egypt’s plan include coordination with Hamas for hostage releases and a focus on sustainable development that includes new housing, agricultural reforms, and infrastructural improvements such as ports and airports, which have been historically proposed but never materialized.
President Sissi emphasized the importance of recognizing Palestinian rights in restoring their nation and pushed for a peaceful solution leading to a viable Palestinian state. He noted the necessity of an effective political path to ensure lasting peace based on international legitimacy. Although the draft statement initially called for U.N. peacekeepers in the region, this proposal was later omitted, indicating potential compromises in negotiations.
Trump’s initial suggestion to repopulate Gaza was met with significant backlash, particularly from Palestinians and neighboring Arab states. While Netanyahu supported Trump’s idea, it was widely condemned as a violation of international law. Other regional allies, such as Jordan, also rejected offers to resettle Palestinian refugees, expressing their willingness to assist with medical care for a limited number of children from Gaza instead.
The ongoing conflict, which began with a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, has led to heavy casualties on both sides, significantly impacting Gaza’s infrastructure and displacing most of its residents. Egypt’s plan, therefore, emerges as a strategic effort to provide a comprehensive alternative to the Trump administration’s approach, positioning it as a pivotal player in Middle Eastern diplomacy regarding the Palestinian crisis.
The article outlines Egypt’s endorsement by Arab leaders of a counterproposal to Trump’s Gaza plan, which aims to preserve the Palestinian population while reconstructing the region. It details the collaborative efforts of key Arab nations and the expressed need for a sustainable, peaceful solution rooted in international law. The contrasting views of the Trump and Egyptian plans highlight ongoing tensions and the complexity of achieving lasting peace in the region.
Original Source: www.hindustantimes.com
