The recent summit in Cairo, attended by prominent Arab leaders, marked a pivotal moment in addressing the escalating tensions in the Gaza Strip. Arab leaders converged to discuss a critical issue: responding to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to depopulate Gaza and transform it into a luxury beach destination. This suggestion has sparked widespread outrage, particularly among Palestinians and the broader Arab community, who view it as a violation of their rights and a form of forced displacement. The Arab League meeting, hosted by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, aimed to present a counterproposal that prioritizes the well-being of Gaza’s population while addressing the dire need for reconstruction and peace.
The summit brought together key figures from across the region, including the Emir of Qatar, the Vice President of the United Arab Emirates, and the Foreign Minister of Saudi Arabia. Their presence underscored the importance of regional unity in addressing this crisis. United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres also attended, reflecting the international community’s concern over the deteriorating situation in Gaza. The meeting took place amid the uncertainty surrounding the Israel-Hamas ceasefire, which has been fragile and prone to collapse. Israel’s recent offensive in Gaza, triggered by Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023, has left the region in ruins, with thousands of casualties and a deepening humanitarian crisis.
Egypt’s proposed postwar plan for Gaza is a comprehensive and ambitious $53 billion initiative aimed at rebuilding the territory by 2030. The plan emphasizes the need to preserve Gaza’s population and restore its infrastructure, which has been severely damaged by years of conflict. The first phase of the plan focuses on clearing the devastation left by Israel’s bombardment, including the removal of unexploded ordnance and over 50 million tons of rubble. Temporary housing units will be established to accommodate Gaza’s displaced population during the reconstruction process. The plan also envisions a futuristic transformation of the strip, with sustainable, green, and walkable housing, renewable energy systems, and the development of agricultural lands and industrial zones.
The Egyptian proposal includes the establishment of key infrastructure projects, such as an airport, a fishing port, and a commercial port, which were originally envisioned in the 1990s Oslo Peace Accords but never realized. The plan also calls for a political transition, where Hamas would cede power to an interim administration of independent leaders until a reformed Palestinian Authority can take control. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who attended the summit, is a key figure in this vision, as he leads the Western-backed Palestinian Authority. However, Israel has rejected any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza, insisting instead on Hamas’ disarmament. Hamas, for its part, has expressed willingness to cede power to other Palestinians but refuses to give up its arms until a Palestinian state is established.
The summit also addressed the issue of international intervention, with an early draft of the statement calling for a “permanent and just solution” to the Palestinian cause and the deployment of U.N. peacekeepers in Gaza and the West Bank. However, this proposal was dropped in a later draft, reflecting the challenges of reaching consensus on such a contentious issue. Israel has consistently opposed any form of international peacekeeping and maintains its claim to security control over both territories, which it captured in the 1967 war. The Israeli government and much of its political class remain strongly opposed to Palestinian statehood, further complicating the path to peace.
President Trump’s proposal to resettle Gaza’s population elsewhere, particularly in Egypt and Jordan, has been met with fierce resistance. Both countries have categorically rejected the idea, with Jordan offering only limited humanitarian assistance, such as medical treatment for injured Palestinian children. This gesture, while compassionate, does little to address the broader crisis. The war has left Gaza in shambles, with its health system and infrastructure destroyed, and nearly 90% of the population displaced at the height of the conflict. The humanitarian toll is staggering, with over 48,000 Palestinians killed and thousands more injured. The international community continues to grapple with the moral and legal implications of the war, as well as the ongoing blockade of Gaza, which has prevented the entry of essential supplies, including food, fuel, and medicine.
The Cairo summit represents a vital step toward addressing the crisis in Gaza, but the road to peace and reconstruction remains long and uncertain. The conflicting visions of the future, the deep-seated animosity between Israel and Hamas, and the international community’s limited leverage all pose significant challenges. As the region struggles to recover from the devastation of war, the voices of Gaza’s people continue to be heard, calling for dignity, justice, and a chance to rebuild their shattered lives.
