The U.S. Pentagon threatens to cut military aid to Egypt if it rejects Trump’s plan to resettle Gazans. Egypt and other Arab states are scrambling to create an alternative proposal. The Palestinian Authority also offered a reconstruction plan to the U.N. amid skepticism from various parties regarding their role and effectiveness in the ongoing crisis.
The Pentagon has escalated pressure on Egypt to accommodate a resettlement plan for Gaza proposed by President Trump. Reports indicate that if Egypt refuses to accept Palestinian evacuees, the U.S. could potentially reduce its annual military assistance of $1.4 billion, impacting military equipment and maintenance. Egyptian officials have expressed concern regarding other issues, particularly a dispute with Ethiopia over a dam affecting the Nile, which may also be leveraged for pressure.
Trump’s controversial proposal to relocate Gazan civilians to Egypt and Jordan has met with widespread opposition, despite his insistence that both countries will eventually agree to the plan. Jordan’s offer to accept 2,000 Gazan children stands in contrast to Egypt’s plan of developing an alternate proposal. Egyptian President el-Sisi has postponed a scheduled White House visit until he aligns on a suitable plan with full Arab backing.
During the visit, Egyptian officials conveyed that the U.S. plan was broadly rejected by the Egyptian military, which has warned it could lead to significant instability in the nation. To counteract Trump’s vision, Arab nations, particularly Egypt, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, are working collaboratively on an alternative solution, involving the establishment of a Palestinian governance structure in Gaza with international help for reconstruction.
An upcoming Arab summit scheduled for February 27 will discuss this Egyptian proposal, which envisions a governing body in Gaza without Hamas and shared reconstruction efforts. Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman is expected to play a pivotal role in leading this initiative. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio remarked that now is the time for Arab states to present their plan to the U.S. government.
The Palestinian Authority has also put forth its own reconstruction framework to the U.N. Security Council, outlining a three-phase plan spanning a decade and requiring around $3.5 billion in funding. Critics argue that the Palestinian Authority lacks credibility due to its failure to condemn recent violence and should focus on combating incitement and terrorism instead.
The article highlights the growing tensions between the U.S. administration and Egypt regarding the resettlement of Gazans, with potential military aid cuts looming if Egypt refuses the plan. In response, Arab nations are uniting to propose a viable alternative that maintains sovereignty and offers support for Gaza’s reconstruction. Meanwhile, the Palestinian Authority’s plan faces skepticism about its effectiveness and legitimacy in the current crisis.
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