Arab leaders set to meet to counter Trump’s Gaza plan

According to diplomatic and government sources, Arab leaders will meet in Saudi Arabia on Friday to discuss how to respond to U.S. President Donald Trump's plan regarding U.S. control of the besieged and bombarded Gaza Strip and the expulsion of its people. The meeting aims to coordinate positions and jointly respond to the U.S. proposal, which could have a significant impact on regional stability.

The Saudi Press Agency (SPA) reported that Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has invited the leaders of Gulf Arab states, Egypt, and Jordan to the capital, Riyadh, for the meeting. SPA added that the meeting would be informal and held "within the framework of the close fraternal relations that bring the leaders together." This indicates that the meeting will focus on informal discussions and building consensus.

Trump's plan has provoked common opposition from Arab countries, but divisions remain over who should administer the Gaza Strip and how to fund reconstruction. Umer Karim, a Saudi foreign policy expert, called the summit "the most important" in decades for the wider Arab world and the Palestinian issue. Trump had proposed that the U.S. "take over the Gaza Strip" and move its 2.4 million people to neighboring Egypt and Jordan, sparking strong global protests.

SPA stated: "As for the joint Arab action and the decisions issued regarding it, this will be included on the agenda of the upcoming Arab emergency summit, which will be held in the brotherly Arab Republic of Egypt." The statement refers to the emergency summit planned for March 4 to discuss the Israeli-Palestinian issue. Jordan's King Abdullah II said when he met with Trump in Washington on February 11 that Egypt would present a plan for moving forward. A Saudi security source said that the talks would discuss "a version of the Egyptian plan" mentioned by the King.

Rebuilding Gaza will be a key issue, after Trump cited reconstruction needs to justify migrating its population. Cairo has not yet announced its initiative, but former Egyptian diplomat Mohamed Hegazy outlined a plan to be carried out "in three technical phases over three to five years." Hegazy is a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, a think tank with close ties to Cairo's decision-making circles. Hegazy said the first phase, lasting six months, would focus on "early recovery." "Heavy machinery will be introduced to clear debris, while designated safe zones will be identified within Gaza to temporarily house residents." The second phase will require an international conference to provide details for reconstruction and will focus on rebuilding utility infrastructure. "The final phase will oversee urban planning in Gaza, the construction of housing units, and the provision of education and health services."

The United Nations estimated on Tuesday that reconstruction would cost more than $53 billion, including more than $20 billion in the first three years. Hegazy said the final phase would include "launching a political track to implement the two-state solution, thereby providing impetus for a sustainable truce." This indicates that the reconstruction effort is closely linked to the political process, aimed at bringing long-term peace and stability to the region.