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Al-Ahram Weekly
09-03-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Egypt looks forward to engaging with US for Gaza reconstruction: FM Spox - Foreign Affairs
Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Tamim Khalaf said that Egypt is looking forward to engaging with the US administration to bring the Gaza reconstruction plan to life during a recent interview on BBC Newshour. Related Hamas delegation arrives in Cairo for a new round of ceasefire talks Khalaf's remarks respond to whether the Arab Gaza reconstruction plan could move forward without US support. "There will be an intention in the next coming weeks that we will have foreign ministers or Arab officials that will be visiting Washington DC, engaging with the US administration," Khalaf stated. He noted that Egypt and the US share a common goal in reconstructing the Gaza Strip. However, he also underscored the Arab leaders' rejection of Palestinian displacement, as they are 'exceptionally sensitive to attempts to detach them from their homeland.' During the interview, which took place the day after the Extraordinary Arab Summit, Khalaf explained that Gazans know leaving the strip would be a 'one-way ticket.' When asked whether Hamas's refusal to disarm meant it would still hold real power in Gaza despite new governance efforts, Khalaf acknowledged the challenge, stating that "there is no perfect solution, but there are reasonable solutions." Furthermore, he cited leaders' endorsement of the Gaza Administration Committee, an independent committee composed of technocrats and non-partisan figures and supervised by the Palestinian Authority (PA), which will manage the affairs of the strip during a six-month transitional period. On Sunday, Hamas announced it also endorses this solution. The primary objective of the Gaza Administration Committee is to enable the full return of the PA to the strip and facilitate governance during the transition. Addressing the proposed plan's $53 billion budget, Khalaf attributed the high cost to the "extensive damage that the Israelis have done over the past 16 months," adding that Gazans endured an "unspeakable humanitarian tragedy." He emphasized that a key outcome of the summit was the agreement to organize an international conference in collaboration with Palestine and the United Nations, to establish a trust fund managing the financial commitments from donor countries and financial institutions. "Palestinians need it, [...] and therefore we are going to work extensively to try to achieve this objective,' Khalaf said. Gaza reconstruction plan On Tuesday, the Extraordinary Arab Summit in Cairo adopted Egypt's Gaza reconstruction plan, presenting a unified Arab stance against US President Donald Trump's colonialist proposal to 'takeover' the Gaza Strip and displace its native population. The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) and several countries, including the UK, France, Italy, and Germany, have backed the plan, while the US position remains unclear. Khalfaf clarified that the plan, developed by experts and urban planners, consists of three main phases. The first begins with a six-month early recovery phase focused on removing 50 million tons of rubble, clearing unexploded ordnance, and providing temporary housing for 1.2 million Palestinians. The first phase, scheduled for 2025-2027 with a $20 billion budget, will ensure complete debris removal and use of the recovered materials for land reclamation in the strip's coastal areas. This phase will focus on constructing essential infrastructure networks, developing 200,000 housing units, and repairing 60,000 homes to accommodate 1.6 million people. The second phase, which is set for 2027-2030 and has a $30 billion budget, will focus on expanding infrastructure networks and constructing an additional 200,000 housing units to accommodate 1.2 million people, bringing the total to 460,000 units for 2.75 million natives. Israel's genocidal war on Gaza caused $29.9 billion in material damage and $19.1 billion in economic and social losses. More than two million Palestinians have been displaced, facing a brutal besiegement and struggling with the lack of water, food, shelter, medical care, and fuel. The war also killed over 47,000 Palestinians, including 17,000 children and 7,200 women, and has left 111,000 injured as of January 2025. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Arab News
07-03-2025
- Politics
- Arab News
The Egyptian plan has become Arab … what next?
The emergency Arab summit, held in Cairo on Tuesday, aimed to discuss ways to rebuild Gaza and address the ongoing repercussions of the war there. The summit witnessed a unified Arab stance against attempts to displace Palestinians, while emphasizing the two-state solution as the main path to achieving peace and stability in the region. One of the most significant outcomes of the summit was the adoption of the Egyptian plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, a proposal that spans five years and has an estimated cost of $53 billion. The plan focuses on rebuilding infrastructure, providing housing solutions for displaced Palestinians within the territory, empowering the Palestinian Authority to govern and removing Hamas from power. Additionally, it includes the formation of a 'Gaza Administration Committee,' a nonpartisan body comprising 15 Palestinian technocrats to manage daily affairs during the first six months of recovery. The plan is divided into three phases. The first phase involves clearing rubble and establishing temporary housing for approximately 1.5 million Palestinians. The second phase transitions to constructing new housing units, an airport, a seaport and economic and tourism projects. The final phase aims to pave the way for the establishment of an independent Palestinian state through direct negotiations between Palestinians and Israelis under international supervision. The plan faces significant challenges, as US President Donald Trump's administration has expressed reservations about its security and political aspects, particularly concerning governance in Gaza and the future of Hamas. Meanwhile, Trump is promoting an alternative plan that involves relocating Palestinians from Gaza and transforming the sector into a luxurious tourist destination — an idea that was strongly rejected by the Arab summit. US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff further fueled concerns by stating that Israel demands Hamas be excluded from any future governance and disarmed as a prerequisite for reconstruction, a condition Hamas considers a 'red line.' Despite US and Israeli pressure, Arab nations have leverage they can use to support the Egyptian plan, including diplomatic relations with Israel and the normalization agreements signed in recent years. Analysts suggest that presenting a comprehensive vision that entices Washington — such as involving American companies in reconstruction projects and linking the plan to the normalization of Saudi-Israeli relations — could push Trump toward supporting the Arab initiative. Despite US and Israeli pressure, Arab nations have leverage they can use to support the Egyptian plan. Dr. Abdellatif El-Menawy At the end of the summit, President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi announced that Cairo would host an international conference on Gaza reconstruction in April to secure the necessary funding and coordinate contributions from donor countries. This conference is seen as a test of the Arab world's ability to rally international support for the reconstruction initiative. The key question remains: Can the Arab nations succeed in this endeavor? The implementation of Egypt's Gaza reconstruction plan and the outcomes of the emergency summit largely depend on the position taken by the US administration—whether it chooses to support the plan or continues backing Israel's efforts to obstruct its execution, especially given the fragile ceasefire agreement, which remains at risk of collapse. A joint Egyptian-Arab delegation is scheduled to visit Washington next week to meet with Trump administration officials, lawmakers in Congress and key decision-making centers to present the plan and persuade the US to support it. This visit will be followed by trips to European capitals. Trump's stance has fluctuated between insisting that his plan to relocate Palestinians and develop luxury resorts in Gaza is the most viable and implementable solution and a softer message that he would not impose his ideas on anyone. Trump reinforced his position in a video created using artificial intelligence, which he shared on his Truth Social platform, reaffirming his vision of transforming Gaza into a high-end tourist destination. While the summit was taking place in Cairo, the US State Department announced that Secretary of State Marco Rubio had spoken with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to reaffirm the US' unwavering support for Israel as a top priority for the Trump administration. During the call, Rubio pledged to expedite the delivery of $4 billion in military aid to Israel. In return, Netanyahu expressed his gratitude for the cooperation of Witkoff in efforts to free hostages and extend the ceasefire in Gaza. The US has concerns about disarming Hamas and minimizing its role, as the group remains the dominant force in Gaza. Dr. Abdellatif El-Menawy While the Trump administration is open to considering the Egyptian plan, it has many questions regarding governance in Gaza, postwar security management and the potential involvement of international peacekeeping forces in both Gaza and the West Bank. Additionally, the US has concerns about disarming Hamas and minimizing its role, as the group remains the dominant force in Gaza. Arab nations worry about the continued US support for Israel, the uncertainty surrounding the durability of the ceasefire and Israeli actions in the West Bank, including the forced displacement of tens of thousands of Palestinians. These concerns are compounded by fears that Israel is exploiting the US' backing to advance its plan to annex the West Bank. There is growing concern that Washington might support Israel's conditions that exclude both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority from any future governance in Gaza. Israel is also pushing for the extension of the ceasefire's initial phase, securing hostage releases without committing to withdrawing its forces from Gaza. Last month, Witkoff stated in an interview with CBS News that one of Washington's firm stances on Gaza's future was the removal of Hamas from the territory. Egyptian officials acknowledge the difficulty of disarming Palestinian factions in Gaza, meaning they face challenges in persuading donors to fund reconstruction, given concerns that Israel might resume bombing the sector even after significant investments in rebuilding homes and infrastructure. The fragile nature of the ceasefire further amplifies these concerns. However, if Trump perceives that endorsing the Arab plan could bolster his image as a peacemaker and potentially secure him a Nobel Peace Prize, he might be more inclined to support it. To succeed, Arab nations must win over American public opinion and pressure the Trump administration to push Israel toward maintaining the ceasefire and accepting a peace plan. Some experts argue that the best hope lies in Trump losing patience with Netanyahu, who might jeopardize part of the US president's regional strategy and complicate efforts to secure hostage releases. If Trump manages to broker a major diplomatic breakthrough — securing the release of hostages, ensuring peace in Gaza without Hamas and expanding the Abraham Accords to include more Arab and Muslim nations — he could claim a significant foreign policy victory. The Arab summit firmly rejected Trump's proposal to relocate more than 2 million Palestinians to Egypt and Jordan while transforming Gaza into a 'Middle Eastern Riviera.' Instead, Cairo presented a phased reconstruction plan aimed at keeping Palestinians in Gaza, removing Hamas from governance and ultimately restoring PA control. During the first phase of the Egyptian proposal, direct negotiations between Israel and Palestinian representatives would begin, addressing final-status issues such as territorial borders and the status of Jerusalem. The plan also includes Egypt and Jordan training a Palestinian police force to maintain security. The Egyptian plan reaffirms the two-state solution, warning that any attempt to undermine Palestinian statehood will fuel further conflict and instability. However, Israel's hard-line stance against Hamas and right-wing opposition to a Palestinian state raise doubts about its commitment to peace talks. *Dr. Abdellatif El-Menawy has covered conflicts worldwide. X: @ALMenawy
Al-Ahram Weekly
05-03-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Arab summit presented ‘practical solution' for Gaza reconstruction without displacement: FM Abdelatty - Foreign Affairs
Egypt's Gaza reconstruction plan — agreed upon at the Extraordinary Arab Summit held in Cairo on Tuesday — is a practical solution that can be implemented on the ground, remarked Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty to Saudi news channel Al-Arabiya Al-Hadath on Wednesday. Abdelatty asserted that Arab nations are capable of reconstructing the Gaza Strip within five years without displacing Palestinians. Arab leaders at the Cairo summit vehemently rejected the forced displacement of Palestinians in the strip and the West Bank. The summit's final communique emphasized support for the Egyptian response to US President Donald Trump's colonialist proposal of a Gaza 'takeover'. Abdelatty said the summit's proposal would address the "tragedy and catastrophe" caused by widespread destruction to homes, infrastructure, medical centres, and public facilities. Egypt's top diplomat underscored the need for a political process to establish a Palestinian state to ensure the reconstruction plan's success. The FM added that a "conducive environment" and a sustained and secure ceasefire are a necessary prerequisite for the plan's implementation. Regarding Gaza's post-war administration, Abdelatty said there was consensus on proposed figures, stressing it must be led by independent Palestinians. A Roadmap for Recovery The Egyptian plan details a three-stage process, an early recovery plan followed by two phases of extensive reconstruction, to create a smart city featuring enhanced infrastructure and amenities. To avoid displacement, the early recovery plan includes bringing 200,000 temporary housing units into the strip for those without shelter. A central component of the plan involves the creation of a Gaza Administration Committee, composed of independent Palestinian experts, to oversee the territory during a transitional period under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority. This committee would play a crucial role in managing the initial recovery and paving the way for long-term reconstruction as per the plan. The five-year plan is estimated to cost around $53 billion as the 15-month-long Israeli genocidal war has left the strip in ruins. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
Al-Ahram Weekly
04-03-2025
- Politics
- Al-Ahram Weekly
Independent committee supervised by PA to govern Gaza for 6 months: Egypt plan - Foreign Affairs
The Gaza Administration Committee, an independent committee composed of technocrats and non-partisan figures and supervised by the Palestinian Authority (PA), will manage the affairs of the strip during a six-month transitional period, according to a draft of Egypt's Gaza Reconstruction Plan obtained by Ahram Online. The primary objective of the Gaza Administration Committee is to enable the full return of the PA to the strip and facilitate governance during the transition, per the plan draft obtained by Ahram Online. The committee will govern during the early recovery phase. This phase, a prelude to the reconstruction with a budget of $3 billion, will focus on clearing debris from central axes, including the Salah Al-Din axis, and establishing 200,000 temporary housing units to shelter 1.2 displaced Palestinians within the Gaza Strip. The reconstruction process will proceed in two phases. The first phase, scheduled for 2025-2027 with a $20 billion budget, will ensure complete debris removal and use of the recovered materials for land reclamation in the strip's coastal areas. This phase will focus on constructing essential infrastructure networks, developing 200,000 housing units, and repairing 60,000 homes to accommodate 1.6 million people. The second phase, which is set for 2027-2030 and has a $30 billion budget, will focus on expanding infrastructure networks and constructing an additional 200,000 housing units to accommodate 1.2 million people, bringing the total to 460,000 units for 2.75 million natives. Israel's genocidal war on Gaza caused $29.9 billion in material damage and $19.1 billion in economic and social losses. More than two million Palestinians have been displaced, facing a brutal besiegement and struggling with the lack of water, food, shelter, medical care, and fuel. The war also killed over 47,000 Palestinians, including 17,000 children and 7,200 women, and has left 111,000 injured as of January 2025. Follow us on: Facebook Instagram Whatsapp Short link:
