Arab League Unites to Endorse Bold Gaza Recovery Plan

In a significant development for the ongoing crisis in Gaza, an emergency Arab summit held in Cairo has officially approved Egypt’s comprehensive plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. This highly anticipated Gaza reconstruction plan was detailed in a 112-page document that outlines Egypt’s vision for revitalizing the region.

The summit concluded with a final statement that addressed several crucial issues concerning occupied Palestine. It emphasized the importance of a unified governance structure for Gaza and the West Bank, reaffirming the need to finalize the ceasefire in Gaza, which has been identified as a major challenge for all involved parties.

• The final statement strongly condemned any attempts to forcibly displace the Palestinian people, rejecting U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial Gaza relocation plan.
• It reaffirmed support for the establishment of a Palestinian state, emphasizing that peace remains the Arabs’ strategic choice.
• Leaders expressed their commitment to ensuring that the reconstruction plan maintains the connection between the occupied West Bank and Gaza.
• The summit also discussed the creation of a new security and political framework for Gaza, urging the UN Security Council to deploy international peacekeeping forces in both Gaza and the West Bank.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa voiced his support for the proposed Arab plan, indicating that efforts would be made to collaborate with all relevant parties to ensure its successful implementation. He announced initiatives aimed at fostering a national dialogue to address various issues, emphasizing the need for collective patriotism among all parties involved.

The Palestinian resistance group Hamas welcomed the reconstruction plan adopted by the Arab summit, calling for the establishment of the necessary conditions for its success. They regarded the summit’s commitment to the ceasefire agreement as a form of political support for the Palestinian people, aimed at pressuring the Israeli occupation to uphold the agreement.

Hamas articulated that “holding the Arab summit today marks an advanced stage of Arab and Islamic alignment with the just Palestinian cause.” The group reaffirmed its commitment to the national cause and the rights of the Palestinian people, insisting on the establishment of a Palestinian state with al-Quds as its capital.

A draft communique indicated that the Arab League would back the establishment of a Palestinian administrative committee to oversee the reconstruction efforts. During the summit, leaders, particularly from Egypt and Jordan, expressed strong support for the Gaza reconstruction plan and firmly rejected any resumption of hostilities that could lead to further displacement of Palestinians.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas praised the Arab plan for rebuilding Gaza and called on U.S. President Donald Trump to support these reconstruction efforts. He highlighted the necessity of ensuring that the Palestinian populace in Gaza is not displaced, while also presenting a “Palestinian vision” that included the possibility of holding general elections next year, contingent on favorable conditions.

Abbas also proposed the creation of a vice president position for both the State of Palestine and the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi confirmed ongoing cooperation with Palestinians to form an independent committee to manage the affairs of Gaza, ensuring that Gaza will be rebuilt while guaranteeing that the Palestinian people remain on their land.

Sisi condemned the ongoing violations against Palestinians in the West Bank and warned against continued attacks on al-Aqsa Mosque, emphasizing the need to maintain its current status. Jordanian King Abdullah II also condemned the Israeli decision to prevent humanitarian aid from entering Gaza, stating that it violates international law.

King Abdullah reaffirmed that “the two-state solution is the only viable option for establishing a Palestinian state with East al-Quds as its capital.” Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit highlighted that Gaza’s reconstruction must ensure that the Palestinian people remain in their homeland, stating, “The Palestinian people must not suffer another catastrophe.”

Iraqi President Abdul Latif Rashid called for urgent action to rebuild Gaza and the establishment of a dedicated fund for this purpose, expressing strong support for the reconstruction plan discussed at the summit. Rashid firmly rejected any attempts to relocate Palestinians outside their homeland, warning against catastrophic plans aimed at eliminating the Palestinian presence.

Similarly, Bahrain’s King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa expressed strong support for Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan and rejected any plans that would displace Palestinians. Lebanese President Joseph Aoun emphasized the need for a resolute stance, asserting that there cannot be peace without recognizing Palestinian rights and liberating Lebanese territory.

UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres highlighted the relief experienced by Palestinians during the initial phase of the ceasefire agreement and stressed the importance of preventing any resurgence of violence. He underscored the need for a political framework for Gaza’s reconstruction that aligns with international law, insisting that Gaza must remain an integral part of the Palestinian state without territorial reductions.

During his speech at the emergency summit, Guterres pointed out the critical role of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), which operates under challenging conditions. He urged for full financial and logistical support for the agency to ensure its continued operation.

In contrast, President Trump’s proposal to effectively take control of Gaza and displace its population to neighboring countries has received widespread condemnation globally, seen by many as an endorsement of ethnic cleansing. Trump controversially stated, “The US will take over the Gaza Strip, and we will do a job with it too. We’ll own it.”

This emergency Arab summit marks a pivotal moment in the ongoing discourse surrounding the Gaza reconstruction plan, with regional leaders uniting to advocate for the rights and future of the Palestinian people. The commitment to a unified Palestinian governance structure and the rejection of displacement are critical themes that will shape the future of Gaza and its inhabitants.