Egypt Daily News – The Washington Post praised the Egyptian – Arab plan for Gaza, which was proposed by Egypt at the recent Arab summit and endorsed by Arab and Islamic countries, as well as receiving European support.
In its editorial, The Washington Post pointed out that the Egyptian plan for Gaza, backed by Arab, Islamic, and European support, provides a useful starting point for discussions on Gaza’s future. It offers a clear roadmap for reconstruction, outlines financial costs, and deserves serious consideration from the United States and Israel.
The Washington Post advised the U.S. administration to take the Arab plan for Gaza seriously, considering it the “only practical and rational” option that can be implemented on the ground, especially since it has received Islamic and European support, creating the conditions for its successful execution.
The newspaper stated that Arab countries, along with most of the world, condemned U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to take control of Gaza, permanently displace more than two million Palestinians, and transform the war-ravaged territory into a “luxury Riviera” on the Mediterranean. Trump reinforced this idea with an AI-generated video depicting a futuristic Gaza featuring palm trees and a golden statue of himself.
A Realistic Plan
The newspaper continued: “These astonishing proposals placed the burden on Arab and Palestinian leaders to present an alternative vision for Gaza’s post-war future, and they have done so. Last week, Arab leaders at their summit—called by the Arab League—approved a realistic plan presented by Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to rebuild Gaza over several years, keeping Palestinians in their homeland while the international community and capable regional states finance reconstruction.” It noted that the plan was quickly supported by France, Germany, Italy, the UK, China, and 57 Islamic countries represented by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation.
The Washington Post explained that, as expected, Israel and the Trump administration rejected the Arab plan—a regrettable move, as the proposal offers many reasonable and feasible ideas.
The newspaper outlined the Arab plan for Gaza, which involves a three-phase reconstruction process.
- Phase One (6 months): Focus on clearing rubble and unexploded ordnance, constructing 200,000 temporary housing units for over a million people, and repairing around 60,000 buildings that can be restored. Estimated cost: $3 billion.
- Phase Two (up to 3 years): Construction of approximately 400,000 permanent homes, restoration of water, electricity, and communication services, and rebuilding Gaza’s long-closed seaport and international airport. Estimated cost: $20 billion.
- Phase Three (2.5 years, $30 billion): Completion of housing for all residents and the establishment of an industrial zone and new commercial ports.
The total estimated cost for all three phases is $53 billion.
Additionally, the Arab plan calls for the creation of an investment management fund. In the first phase, Gaza would be governed by a committee of independent Palestinian technocrats reporting to the Palestinian Authority, which already administers the West Bank.
The Washington Post also noted that Egypt’s plan includes a UN peacekeeping force, with Egypt and Jordan committing to training Palestinian police officers to maintain order during reconstruction.
On Hamas and Israel’s Response
The newspaper explained: “Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and the hardliners in his ruling coalition believe the war must continue until Hamas is eradicated as a fighting force—an objective that most analysts, and even some Israeli military officials, consider unrealistic.”
The paper criticized Netanyahu’s strong rejection of any role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza. Some Israeli hardliners have openly discussed reoccupying or annexing the territory, and Netanyahu, along with many Israelis, opposes the idea of recognizing an independent Palestinian state in the future.
The Washington Post described the current situation as a “dangerous moment for Gaza,” with the six-week ceasefire ending and Israel and Hamas deadlocked over whether and how to extend it. Netanyahu appears prepared to resume the war, and Israel has cut off all humanitarian aid and electricity to Gaza, worsening civilian suffering.
In conclusion, the newspaper emphasized the urgent need to extend the ceasefire immediately, followed by serious negotiations on Gaza’s post-war future. The Arab plan offers a starting point for such talks, and at present, the Egyptian-led initiative—backed by Arab, Islamic, and international support—remains the only rational option on the table.
