Arab leaders approve $53bn alternative to Trump's Gaza plan

At an emergency summit held in Cairo, the Egyptian capital, Arab leaders approved a $53 billion (£41.4 billion) reconstruction plan aimed at countering US President Donald Trump's vision of "taking over Gaza" and transferring more than two million Palestinians. The plan aims to provide a practical and feasible solution for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, and emphasizes the role of Arab countries in resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. It represents a unified Arab front against external interference.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit announced after the hours-long meeting that "Egypt's plan has now become the Arab plan." He emphasized that "the Arab position is to reject any form of migration, whether voluntary or forced," but did not explicitly mention President Trump's ideas. This indicates that Arab countries are cautious about any plan that could lead to the displacement of Palestinians, underscoring their commitment to Palestinian self-determination.

Egypt has produced an elaborate 91-page blueprint containing images of leafy neighborhoods and grand public buildings, designed to counter the American proposal, labeled "Middle East Riviera," which has shocked the Arab world and beyond. Unlike a mere real estate development, the banner of this new plan is politics and Palestinian rights. The plan aims to address the fundamental problems of the Gaza Strip and promote the well-being of the Palestinian people, offering a holistic and sustainable approach.

In his opening remarks, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi also called for a parallel plan to promote the "two-state solution," the establishment of a Palestinian state coexisting with Israel, alongside the physical reconstruction. This is widely seen by Arab countries and many others as the only lasting solution to this long-standing conflict, but Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his allies are firmly opposed. The focus of this plan is to achieve a fundamental solution to the Israeli-Palestinian issue through political means, emphasizing the need for dialogue and negotiation.

The new plan proposes that Gaza will be temporarily managed by a "Gaza Management Committee under the leadership of a Palestinian government," composed of qualified technocrats. The plan glosses over the question of what role Hamas will play, if any, only vaguely referring to "obstacles" from armed groups, and stating that this issue will be resolved if the root causes of the conflict with Israel are eliminated. Some Arab countries have called for the complete dissolution of Hamas; others believe that these decisions should be made by the Palestinians themselves. Hamas has reportedly accepted not participating in the management of Gaza, but has made it clear that disarmament is a red line, highlighting the complexities of the political landscape.

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has described President Trump's plan as "visionary" and has repeatedly ruled out any future role for Hamas and the Palestinian Authority. Another sensitive security issue is addressed by calling on the UN Security Council to deploy international peacekeepers. A major international conference will be held next month to raise significant funds for this reconstruction project. Wealthy Arab Gulf states appear willing to bear part of the enormous cost. But no one is willing to invest unless they are completely convinced that the buildings will not collapse in another war, underscoring the need for lasting peace and security.

This new Arab plan to rebuild Gaza will unfold in three phases, including an initial phase of approximately six months, called the early recovery phase, to begin clearing the vast amounts of rubble and unexploded ordnance. The subsequent two phases will last for several years. During this period, an estimated 1.5 million displaced Palestinians will be housed in temporary containers. The photos in the glossy booklet show them as well-built, well-designed housing units nestled in beautiful landscaped areas. President Trump continues to loudly question "why they don't want to move?" He described Gaza as a "demolition site," emphasizing that the area has been completely reduced to ruins. The United Nations says 90% of homes have been damaged or destroyed, revealing the sheer scale of the humanitarian crisis.

From schools and hospitals to sewage systems and power lines, all valuable necessities of life have been utterly destroyed. President Trump exacerbated the shock and outrage over his ideas by posting an AI-generated video of a golden Gaza on his Truth Social account, featuring a glittering statue of himself, his close ally Elon Musk enjoying snacks on the beach, and him and Israeli leader Benjamin Netanyahu sunbathing topless. All of this was accompanied by a catchy song with lyrics like "Trump Gaza is finally here," demonstrating a tone-deaf approach to the suffering and devastation.

A Western diplomat who attended a briefing on the Egyptian plan at the Cairo Foreign Ministry commented, "They thought of President Trump. It is very elaborate and very well prepared." The Cairo proposal is said to have drawn on a wide range of expertise, from World Bank sustainable development experts to hotel developers in Dubai. In addition, lessons were learned from other damaged cities that have risen from the ruins, including Hiroshima, Beirut, and Berlin. The proposed design is also influenced by Egypt's own experience in developing "New Cairo," a grand mega-project that has seen a new administrative capital rise from the desert – at great cost, highlighting the ambition and scale of the Egyptian initiative.

President Trump has stated that he will not "impose" his ideas on anyone, but still insists that his plan is the "really working" plan. Now, it is up to the Arab countries and their allies to prove that their plan is the only plan, showcasing its viability and long-term benefits for the Palestinian people and the region.