The Arab League supported Egypt’s $53 billion plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, focusing on initial cleanup and temporary housing, followed by massive housing developments. This plan seeks international endorsement and cooperation with potential funding from Gulf states, reflecting a collective effort to rebuild Gaza after recent conflicts.
At a special Arab League summit in Cairo, leaders endorsed Egypt’s $53 billion plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, aimed at addressing the impacts of recent conflicts. The first phase emphasizes debris clearance and temporary housing, costing about $3 billion over six months. Subsequent phases include constructing 200,000 housing units over the next two years, expanding to hundreds of thousands of homes, an airport, industrial zones, hotels, and parks by 2030.
President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi announced that a “dependent” Palestinian entity would manage Gaza during reconstruction, with support from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas. Furthermore, global backing is encouraged to advance the initiative, gaining acceptance from the United Nations and the European Union. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed strong support for the Arab-led initiative, remarking on the potential for significant aid in the recovery process.
EU Council President Antonio Costa echoed this sentiment, saying that the plans instill hope among Palestinians regionally and internationally, hinting at a possible end to their suffering. Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al-Khalifa praised the proposal, urging for regional cooperation to bolster national interests. Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa, attending the summit, criticized past U.S. proposals as unacceptable and damaging.
The successful financing of the reconstruction heavily relies on involvement from wealthy Gulf states like the UAE and Saudi Arabia, which do not align with Hamas. The full extent of the damage in Gaza remains to be ascertained, although satellite imagery suggests around 70% of buildings have been adversely affected, including over 245,000 homes.
The Arab League’s endorsement of Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan marks a significant step in regional collaborative efforts to rebuild war-torn areas. The multi-phase approach focuses first on immediate relief, then long-term infrastructure growth, emphasizing international support. The success of this initiative hinges on financing commitments from Gulf states and the effective management by Palestinian authorities, with expectations for vital improvements in living conditions and economic opportunities by 2030.
Original Source: newscentral.africa
