Arab summit adopts Egypt's Gaza reconstruction plan
Cairo, Egypt – An emergency Arab League summit convened in Cairo on Tuesday adopted an Egyptian plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, Egypt's President Abdel Fattah el Sisi said in a closing statement.
The plan aims to counter US President Donald Trump's proposals for a 'Middle East Riviera' by presenting a scheme for rebuilding the devastated strip without displacing its population.
Oman's delegation to the summit was headed by H E Sayyid Badr al Busaidi, Foreign Minister, who praised the effort, expressing hope that it would be translated into practical steps that meet the aspirations of the Arab peoples. He welcomed the Egyptian plan to rebuild the Gaza and wished it success.
In his opening remarks, Sisi said the plan would ensure Gazans 'remain on their land'.
Sisi proposed forming an administrative committee of independent Palestinian professionals to temporarily oversee Gaza's affairs, paving the way for the return of the Palestinian Authority.
'With the help of its Palestinian brothers, Egypt has worked to create a Palestinian administrative committee of independent professionals and technocrats, who will be tasked with governing Gaza with the expertise of its members,' Sisi said.
The committee will be responsible for overseeing the relief process and governing the strip's issues for a 'temporary period' in preparation for the return of the Palestinian Authority to Gaza.
The Egyptian plan outlines a five-year roadmap with an estimated cost of US$53bn, roughly matching the United Nations' assessment of Gaza's reconstruction needs.
A proposed early recovery phase, expected to last six months and cost US$3bn, would focus on clearing unexploded ordnance and debris, and providing temporary housing.
That would be followed by a US$20bn initial reconstruction stage running until 2027 focused on rebuilding essential infrastructure and permanent housing.
The next stage of reconstruction, extending to 2030 at an estimated cost of US$30bn aims to build more housing, infrastructure, and industrial and commercial facilities. H E Sayyid Badr al Busaidi
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres expressed strong support for the Egyptian initiative.
'I welcome and strongly endorse the Arab-led initiative to mobilise support for Gaza's reconstruction, clearly expressed in this summit,' Guterres said.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas said the call to transfer the population of Gaza is 'categorically rejected', adding he commended 'the Arab-Egyptian plan for the reconstruction of Gaza in the presence of the Palestinians in their homeland'.
'We call on Trump to support the efforts of reconstruction on these bases, rather than any other basis,' Abbas added.
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