Arab leaders met in Cairo to back Egypt’s $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza, opposing Trump’s relocation vision. The plan includes temporary housing for displaced Gazans, aiming for significant reconstruction by 2030. U.N. Secretary-General Guterres emphasized global responsibility for peace, stressing the need for a comprehensive political framework that respects Palestinian rights. The summit concluded with a unified stance against displacing Palestinians and support for an independent state.
Arab leaders gathered in Cairo for an emergency summit to support Egypt’s reconstruction plan for Gaza, rejecting U.S. President Trump’s proposal to relocate Gazans. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi emphasized that the plan allows Palestinians to rebuild their homeland on their own land, asserting their right to stay.
The proposed $53 billion initiative includes a six-month recovery phase, providing temporary housing to 1.5 million displaced individuals, followed by a two-phase reconstruction effort. The first phase, costing $20 billion, will last two years, while the second phase will cost $30 billion over 2.5 years, aiming for completion by 2030.
Al-Sisi noted that the ongoing Israeli conflict intends to displace Gazans, reinforcing the Palestinians’ resilience to remain on their land. He mentioned forming a technical committee comprised of Palestinian professionals to oversee Gaza’s administration as they prepare for the Palestinian Authority’s return. Jordan also contributes to training Palestinian security personnel for the region’s stability.
The reconstruction plan will coincide with efforts for a peace agreement supported by the international community to resolve the Palestinian issue effectively. Al-Sisi called for global collaboration to reinforce this plan and announced a reconstruction conference in the upcoming month to garner support.
“There will be no genuine peace without the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and guarantees to preserve Israel’s security,” he stated. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas endorsed Egypt’s plan and condemned any displacement initiatives, urging unity among Palestinian factions.
King Abdullah of Jordan echoed the rejection of Palestinian displacement and affirmed his country’s backing of the Gaza reconstruction plan. He also reiterated that the two-state solution remains the only viable path to achieving lasting peace.
U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres emphasized the importance of the summit as a message of collective responsibility. He called for a political framework that would facilitate Gaza’s recovery and stability while addressing Israel’s security concerns. Guterres insisted that peace ultimately lies in recognizing the rights of Palestinians to self-govern.
By the end of the summit, Arab leaders were expected to formally endorse Egypt’s comprehensive Gaza reconstruction plan while simultaneously rejecting any foreign proposals that could lead to the dislocation of its population.
The summit in Cairo led by Arab leaders highlighted key preferences for a reconstruction plan focused on maintaining Palestinian presence in Gaza, directly opposing the U.S. plan for relocation. Emphasizing international cooperation, the leaders underlined the necessity of a comprehensive peace strategy alongside the reconstruction efforts to ensure stability in the region. The clear message from the summit was a unified standing against any forms of displacement, advocating for Palestinian statehood as central to lasting peace.
Original Source: www.upi.com