What is Egypt’s plan for the reconstruction of Gaza?

Arab nations have adopted an Egyptian-proposed plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, offering a potential path forward after Israel's devastating war on the Palestinian enclave. The plan aims to provide a framework for the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip and bring stability to the region. This initiative reflects a collective desire to address the urgent humanitarian crisis and pave the way for a more sustainable future.

Egypt unveiled the plan at an Arab League summit hosted in its capital, Cairo. The plan offers an alternative to U.S. President Donald Trump's proposed "development" plan for the Gaza Strip, which has been controversial due to allegations involving ethnic cleansing. Egypt's plan emphasizes that Gazan Palestinian residents will not be forced to leave the territory. This reassurance aims to address concerns about displacement and ensure the protection of Palestinian rights.

The plan consists of three main phases: transitional measures, reconstruction, and governance. The first phase would last approximately six months, while the subsequent two phases would be completed in a total of four to five years. The goals are to rebuild Gaza, maintain peace and security, and re-establish the Palestinian Authority's (PA) governance in the area. This phased approach aims to ensure a comprehensive and sustainable recovery process.

The plan to rebuild Gaza includes a six-month transition period during which a committee of Palestinian technocrats, under the administration of the PA, would clear rubble from Gaza's main north-south highway, Salah al-Din Street. After the road is cleared, 200,000 temporary housing units would be built to house 1.2 million people, and approximately 60,000 damaged buildings would be repaired. The long-term reconstruction, requiring an additional four to five years after the transitional measures, aims to build at least 400,000 permanent homes, as well as rebuild Gaza's seaport and international airport. The plan also calls for the establishment of a steering and management committee as a fiscal fund to support Gaza's transitional administration. These measures are crucial for restoring infrastructure and providing adequate housing for the affected population.

The plan calls for a group of "independent Palestinian technocrats" to administer Gaza's affairs, effectively replacing Hamas. The technocratic government would be responsible for overseeing humanitarian aid and paving the way for the PA to govern Gaza. Egypt has called for $53 billion in funding to rebuild Gaza, with the funds allocated in three phases. The funding would come from various international sources, including the United Nations and international financial organizations, as well as foreign and private sector investments. This financial commitment is essential for the successful implementation of the reconstruction plan.

The plan faces numerous variables, foremost of which is whether Hamas, Israel, or the United States will agree to it. Hamas has welcomed the reconstruction plan and has previously agreed to the establishment of a technocratic government. Israel has made it clear that it will not allow Hamas to retain its weapons. Questions also remain as to whether Trump will abandon his U.S.-controlled "Middle East Riviera" idea in favor of the Egyptian plan. These uncertainties highlight the complex political dynamics involved in the region.

In response to the Egyptian plan, Israel said that Arab nations need to "break with the shackles of the past and work together to create a stable and secure future in the region." Egypt called Israel's response "unacceptable," with Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty calling the Netanyahu government's position "stubborn and extreme." Abdelatty stated that peace in the region is impossible without an independent Palestinian state. "No one country should be allowed to impose its will on the international community," he added. The White House continues to support Trump's Gaza plan, but says it welcomes working with Arab partners in the region, excluding Hamas. These conflicting viewpoints underscore the challenges in achieving a lasting resolution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.