Cairo: Arab leaders gathered at the Arab League summit in Cairo and endorsed a comprehensive plan to rebuild war-torn Gaza under the administration of the Palestinian Authority (PA). The move aims to provide an alternative to US proposals that have sparked international criticism.
In a final communique, the summit declared its commitment to rebuilding Gaza while ensuring Palestinians “remain on their land.” The leaders also announced the creation of a trust fund to finance reconstruction efforts, with support from international donors.
Rejection of Forced Displacement Proposals
The summit strongly opposed US President Donald Trump’s earlier suggestion that Gaza be taken over and its residents relocated. While Trump has softened his stance in recent statements, the summit reaffirmed its stance against any forced displacement of Palestinians.
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas announced the formation of a Gaza administration committee under the PA’s leadership to oversee relief and reconstruction efforts. The move seeks to pave the way for the PA’s return to governance in Gaza, a territory it lost to Hamas in 2007.
Hamas and Israel’s Position on Gaza’s Future
Hamas, the governing body in Gaza, welcomed the reconstruction plan but did not clarify whether it would cede control of the territory. Meanwhile, Israel has firmly rejected any future role for Hamas, demanding the group’s complete disarmament as a condition for peace.
Israel’s Foreign Minister Gideon Saar emphasized that Hamas must be removed from power and Gaza fully demilitarized before any further ceasefire negotiations. However, Hamas rejected this demand, calling its resistance “non-negotiable.”
Urgent Humanitarian Crisis and Calls for Aid
The Gaza war, which began after Hamas’s October 7, 2023 attack, has left the territory in ruins. Data from both sides show that the conflict has caused:
- 1,218 deaths in Israel, mostly civilians.
- 48,405 deaths in Gaza, also mostly civilians.
A fragile ceasefire since January has allowed some humanitarian aid into Gaza, but Israel recently blocked deliveries, demanding Hamas comply with its terms.
Global Reactions and Next Steps
UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres backed the Arab League’s plan and assured the UN’s full cooperation in the reconstruction efforts. However, key regional players like Saudi Arabia have yet to make formal financial commitments.
As negotiations continue, the world watches to see if this plan will provide a path toward long-term stability in Gaza.
