Arab nations have convened in Saudi Arabia to counter former US President Donald Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza and relocate its 2.4 million residents to Egypt and Jordan.

Summit’s Key Agenda

According to Saudi officials, the summit will discuss a reconstruction plan for Gaza, alternative to Trump’s proposal. Egypt is expected to present a framework, with discussions focusing on:

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  • Rebuilding Gaza’s war-ravaged infrastructure
  • Deciding governance of Gaza post-war
  • Securing financial support for reconstruction

Egypt’s Proposed Three-Phase Plan

Former Egyptian diplomat Mohamed Hegazy outlined an expected three-phase reconstruction plan:

  1. Early Recovery (6 months): Debris removal, establishment of temporary safe zones.
  2. Rebuilding Phase: Restoration of utilities and infrastructure through international collaboration.
  3. Final Phase: Urban planning, housing development, and reintroducing education and healthcare services.

The United Nations estimates Gaza’s reconstruction could cost over $53 billion.

Challenges in Funding and Governance

A major challenge remains securing financial backing. While some Gulf nations, like Kuwait, may offer humanitarian aid, others are likely to set political conditions for funding.

Governance remains another contentious issue. The Egyptian plan proposes a neutral Palestinian administration affiliated with the Palestinian Authority (PA), supplemented by a foreign security force. Saudi Arabia supports PA control, while Qatar insists that Palestinians should determine their own future.

Arab Unity Key to Success

Experts believe the success of this initiative depends on unprecedented Arab unity, as past efforts have often been undermined by political divisions.

“Any proposal must exclude Hamas,” said Umer Karim, a Saudi foreign policy expert, noting that Hamas’ presence would make the plan unacceptable to the US and Israel.

Looking Ahead: Arab League’s Role

Decisions made at this summit will be included in the March 4 Arab League Summit in Egypt, where further steps towards a unified Arab strategy for Gaza will be discussed.