Several Arab countries, including Egypt, are working on reconstruction plans for war-torn Gaza. The goal is to ensure the presence of Palestinians in the region without displacement while establishing a governance system in Gaza that excludes Hamas. The Gaza Partition and Palestinian State Plan took shape after former U.S. President Donald Trump proposed relocating Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt, Jordan, or another country to gain full control of the territory and, in his words, transform it into a "model region" in the Middle East. According to Reuters, four proposed plans have emerged, with Egypt’s plan leading as the Arab world’s alternative to Trump’s proposal. Sources indicate that technical details of the plan are being finalized in Cairo, including the removal of debris followed by the reconstruction of Gaza. Discussions are also underway on temporary housing solutions for Gaza’s residents during reconstruction and the governance structure after the war. However, the future of Gaza’s armed groups, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, remains under consideration. Egypt has stated that the Gaza Partition and Palestinian State Plan will be developed with U.S. support. Egyptian sources said that the United Nations and the European Union would also play key roles in its implementation. Egypt is consulting with several Arab nations, including Jordan and Saudi Arabia, to finalize the plan for a potential meeting in Riyadh on February 21, which could involve the Palestinian Authority. Following this meeting, an emergency Arab summit is expected to be held in Cairo. The summit was initially scheduled for February 27 but has been delayed for multiple reasons.
How will this plan be Accomplished without the Displacement of Palestinians?
Egyptian sources told media reports that Arab consultations have begun in preparation for a meeting on the Gaza Reconstruction Plan Without Displacement with European involvement. According to them, the Egyptian plan focuses on dividing Gaza into three sections for reconstruction, with each section containing 20 large camps for Gaza’s residents, where necessities such as water and electricity will be provided. Under this plan, millions of mobile homes and tents will be introduced as temporary housing for up to six months while the debris from the destruction is cleared. At present, due to Israeli restrictions, this work is not possible in the initial phase of the ceasefire. The Gaza Reconstruction Plan Without Displacement also highlights the need for fuel and essential reconstruction materials to be supplied to Gaza. According to the Egyptian proposal, Arab countries and international organizations will provide financial assistance for reconstruction. Under this framework, 50 multinational companies will establish secure housing in the three proposed sections of Gaza within 18 months. A committee comprising Arab and international representatives will be formed to oversee financial aid matters. The plan also includes the construction of a buffer zone, and barriers have been proposed to prevent the digging of tunnels along the Gaza-Egypt border. The President of the Egyptian Engineers Syndicate, Dr. Tariq, stated that due to costs and the involvement of various parties, the project could take three to five years to complete. However, on Saturday, the Israeli Prime Minister announced that he would not allow construction materials and mobile homes to enter Gaza, even though they are part of the ceasefire agreement. He cited security concerns as the reason for this decision.
The Future of Hamas
Egyptian sources stated that the most critical issue is the future of Hamas and other armed groups operating in the Gaza Strip. According to the Hamas' Political and Security Role in the Egyptian plan, a proposal includes disarming these groups following the declaration of a Palestinian state. This state would have East Jerusalem as its capital, and a buffer zone would be established to assure Israel that Gaza would pose no future threat. Meanwhile, it has been proposed that a Palestinian committee, supported by international powers and Arab nations, be formed to govern Gaza without Hamas. Hamas has previously stated that it is willing to relinquish control of Gaza to a national-level committee. However, it insists on having a say in selecting the committee members and opposes the deployment of ground forces against its will.
What will happen to Trump's plan?
Trump’s Plan for Gaza’s Future has been a controversial topic in international politics. U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly expressed his intention to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to another location to promote the region as a hub for tourism and investment, ensuring that Palestinians do not have to live among ruins during the reconstruction process. Trump also threatened Egypt and Jordan, stating that if they refused to accept Palestinian refugees, their financial aid would be cut off. Former Associated Press Middle East editor Don Perry wrote an article for the Israeli Jerusalem Post, arguing that Trump's plan is a strategic move to pressure Arab countries and Palestinians into removing Hamas from power. Additionally, Trump aims to persuade Arab nations, particularly Qatar, to stop funding Hamas. Following a recent meeting between Trump and Jordan’s King Abdullah II in Washington, White House spokesperson Karoline Leavitt stated that King Abdullah made it clear he wanted Palestinians to remain in Gaza during the reconstruction process. However, Trump’s official stance has so far remained that Palestinians should be relocated from Gaza. Don Perry believes that Trump might agree to allow Palestinians to stay in Gaza if, in exchange, billions of dollars are invested in the reconstruction effort and Hamas is removed. He also suggests that a technocratic government would be established in Gaza, linked to the Palestinian Authority in the West Bank and cooperating with Egypt and other Middle Eastern countries.
The Arab World and Trump
Saudi analyst Dr. Mubarak states that the U.S. government will prioritize its interests in the region, particularly in Saudi Arabia and Egypt. He believes that the personal relationships between the leaders of Egypt, the U.S., and Saudi Arabia will help them agree on a joint strategy, especially as Trump is set to visit Saudi Arabia, where a new direction for U.S.-Arab relations will be established. From Washington, political analyst Dr. Hassan suggests that if Trump halts military and financial aid to Jordan and Egypt, these countries could retaliate. For instance, Riyadh might suspend its investments in the U.S. and instead enhance economic cooperation with China, Russia, the European Union, Africa, and South Africa. He also notes that Riyadh has strategically used its offer to normalize relations with Israel to push for the establishment of a Palestinian state. Egyptian sources indicate that Cairo has recently hinted at the possibility of canceling its peace treaty with Israel. This could serve as leverage against the U.S. if Trump rejects the Arab proposal.
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