Arab Nations Convene in Cairo on Gaza Reconstruction Plan Discussions
Arab leaders are scheduled to meet in Cairo for an Arab League summit on Tuesday to discuss a proposed plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, as per Bloomberg.
The initiative faces numerous challenges and its final form remains subject to negotiation.
The proposal’s unveiling coincides with the expiration of a six-week ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on Sunday, raising concerns about renewed conflict and the viability of any reconstruction efforts. The ceasefire was initially brokered in January by Egypt, Qatar, and the United States.
While Israel seeks to extend the initial phase of the truce, Hamas insists on progressing to Phase 2 negotiations focused on a long-term resolution.
Sources familiar with the some 150-page document outlining the reconstruction plan indicate that key details are still under discussion. These include the future governance of Gaza, security arrangements within the territory, and the role of Hamas.
Israel has suspended humanitarian aid to Gaza amidst the ongoing impasse, drawing criticism from Arab mediators, including Saudi Arabia.
The Arab League summit aims to address these complexities and forge a unified approach to Gaza’s reconstruction. Following the Cairo meeting, a ministerial-level gathering is planned in Saudi Arabia, involving representatives from Muslim-majority countries, including Indonesia, Iran, Malaysia, and Turkey, to further refine the plan.
Sources suggest the plan envisions a management structure in Gaza that excludes Hamas from direct control, with a committee overseen by Arab states administering the territory. However, it reportedly lacks explicit provisions for the disarmament and removal of Hamas, a potential obstacle for Israel and other international stakeholders.
“On Hamas we are clear, Hamas is not an interlocutor for us,” stated EU representative Šuica.
Regional perspectives on the matter also differ. Saudi Arabia supports removing Hamas’s hardline leadership while advocating for engagement with moderate elements within the group. Conversely, the United Arab Emirates is said to favor a complete overhaul of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority before committing reconstruction funds.
A significant hurdle to the plan’s implementation is the stated position of Gulf states, who have indicated they will not fund reconstruction without a commitment to a Palestinian state and a clear path toward its establishment – a condition Israel has rejected.
The conflict between Israel and Hamas, ongoing since October 2023, has resulted in widespread destruction in Gaza and a significant number of casualties. According to Gaza’s Hamas-run health authorities, over 48,000 Palestinians have been killed. Israel launched its Gaza campaign after Hamas attacked Israel, killing approximately 1,200 people and abducting 250. Reconstruction costs are estimated at $50 billion.
