Arab Leaders Support Gaza Plan Counterproposal amid Ceasefire Doubts

Arab leaders are gathering in Cairo to discuss a counterproposal to a controversial suggestion by U.S. President Donald Trump regarding the future of the Gaza Strip. Trump’s plan, which calls for the depopulation of Gaza to transform it into a tourist destination, has stirred regional discontent. The summit, led by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, includes participation from key players like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, whose support is seen as vital for any post-conflict initiative.

Concurrently, Israel has indicated its endorsement of an alternative U.S. plan concerning the current ceasefire with Hamas and the terms for releasing hostages taken in the group’s attack on October 7, 2023. The plan involves extending the ceasefire if Hamas releases half of its remaining hostages. Meanwhile, Israel continues to restrict essential goods from entering Gaza, applying pressure on Hamas to comply, and warns of possible military escalations if the situation doesn’t progress.

This withholding of aid has sparked international criticism, with human rights groups emphasizing Israel’s responsibility, as an occupying force, under international legal norms. Despite these allegations, Israel has not shown intentions of releasing more Palestinian prisoners, even as this element played a crucial role in earlier negotiation phases.

Egypt’s proposed postwar blueprint seeks to resettle Gazans within their region temporarily using mobile accommodations as damaged cities undergo reconstruction. This plan envisions Hamas relinquishing administrative control to a neutral interim government, gearing toward a transition to a reformed Palestinian Authority. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who opposes Hamas, attended the summit discussions.

Israel has outrightly dismissed any involvement from the Palestinian Authority regarding governance in Gaza and, alongside the U.S., insists on the disarmament of Hamas. Hamas, opposed to Israel’s existence, indicates a conditional readiness to pass administrative responsibilities but firmly rejects disarming until Palestinian statehood is actualized.

A draft from the summit advocates for “permanent and just” resolutions for the Palestinians and calls for international peacekeepers by the U.N. Security Council in both Gaza and the West Bank. However, Israel maintains its security governance over these lands, captured in the 1967 war, amidst its political resistance to recognizing Palestinian state aspirations.

Trump’s initial suggestion of relocating Gaza’s 2 million inhabitants abroad, with the U.S. spearheading a redevelopment project into a luxury destination, was met with widespread opposition from Palestinians, Arab states, and human rights experts, primarily due to potential breaches of international laws. Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s support only amplified regional discontent.

In a related note, Trump hinted that allies like Egypt and Jordan might absorb a significant influx of Palestinian refugees—a proposition both nations firmly declined. Last month, in a show of humanitarian effort, Jordan’s King Abdullah II proposed to provide medical treatment to around 2,000 Gaza children. On Tuesday, the first group of approximately 30 children departed for Jordan, escorted by family members. They will return post-treatment, as per Jordan’s statement.

The ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas commenced from a violent assault by Hamas on October 7, 2023, resulting in 1,200 Israeli deaths and numerous hostages taken. Among the hostages, 59 are still believed to be held by Hamas, with some presumed dead. The rest were either rescued or released through previous ceasefire agreements.

In an offensive extending over 15 months, Israeli military actions reportedly claimed over 48,000 Palestinian lives, with varying estimates on civilian and combatant deaths. The conflict inflicted extensive damage on Gaza’s infrastructure, including its healthcare facilities, leaving the population frequently displaced and in precarious living conditions.