Cairo hosts Arab summit on Gaza reconstruction
Egypt will host an extraordinary Arab summit in Cairo on Tuesday to discuss developments in the Gaza Strip, with a focus on reconstruction and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state. The summit follows Egypt's recent diplomatic efforts to consolidate regional support and propose an alternative plan for Gaza's recovery. However, divisions among Arab nations, particularly regarding disarmament and financial commitments, threaten to undermine the summit's success.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty met with his counterparts from Iraq, Mauritania, Tunisia, and Bahrain ahead of the summit to coordinate regional efforts. In a separate meeting, Abdelatty and Jordanian Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi reaffirmed their firm rejection of any forced displacement of Palestinians. They emphasized the need for international pressure to ensure the full implementation of the ceasefire agreement, seeing it as a crucial step toward a lasting resolution based on a two-state solution.
Egypt is expected to present a reconstruction plan aimed at accelerating Gaza's recovery from the repercussions of Israeli aggression. Over the past several days, Egyptian officials have been working to develop a comprehensive vision for the initiative in an effort to secure broad Arab support. However, achieving consensus remains uncertain due to differing positions, particularly among key Gulf nations.
The summit follows recent remarks by US President Donald Trump, who, during a joint press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu at the White House, revealed his administration's intention to take control of Gaza and relocate its Palestinian population to other countries. The plan, which was met with international condemnation, prompted Trump to later state that he was 'not in a hurry' to implement it amid growing backlash. Since 25 January, Trump has been promoting this initiative, despite firm rejection from Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab nations, as well as widespread opposition from regional and international organizations.
However, internal disagreements among Arab nations could complicate the summit's objectives. The Algerian News Agency announced that Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune would not participate in the summit, citing 'imbalances and shortcomings in the preparatory process' and accusing a small group of Arab countries of monopolizing the discussions. Meanwhile, Saudi Arabia and the UAE have pushed for the disarmament of Palestinian resistance factions and the removal of their leaders from Gaza as a prerequisite for financing reconstruction efforts. Qatar has expressed reservations about this approach, while Egypt has opted to submit comments rather than take a definitive stance.
Amid these diplomatic maneuvers, Israel has continued to escalate tensions. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has reiterated threats to resume military operations in Gaza, stating that Israel will not hesitate to launch a renewed offensive if Hamas continues to hold Israeli prisoners. Netanyahu also voiced his full support for Trump's plan for Gaza, further deepening divisions over the future of the Strip. In response, Hamas has firmly rejected any proposals to extend the first phase of the ceasefire, emphasizing its commitment to the original three-phase framework agreed upon in negotiations.
A senior Palestinian resistance leader disclosed that Gaza's joint resistance factions have raised their state of readiness in anticipation of potential Israeli military actions. According to the source, orders have been issued to resistance units securing Israeli prisoners to reinforce security measures, reverting to pre-agreement protocols before the ceasefire took effect on 19 January.
On Sunday evening, the European Union urged the swift resumption of negotiations for the second phase of the ceasefire, stressing the need for full, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access for Palestinians in need. The EU also condemned Hamas's refusal to extend the first phase of the ceasefire and warned that Israel's subsequent decision to block humanitarian aid into Gaza could have severe consequences for the civilian population.
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