Egypt Daily News – Egypt is setting on the final touches for a counterproposal to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for Gaza as part of regional and international efforts to address the Palestinian crisis. This move follows reports of a new American plan regarding the future of Gaza, raising concerns among Egypt, the Palestinian Authority, and other regional players.
Key Elements of Egypt’s Proposal:
According to diplomatic sources, the Egyptian proposal includes the following main points:
- According to the Egyptian proposal, more than twenty Egyptian and international companies will participate in the reconstruction efforts, creating tens of thousands of job opportunities for Gaza’s residents. The reconstruction process is expected to last up to five years.
- Rejecting any plans to reshape Gaza’s political and administrative status in a way that contradicts Palestinian legitimacy.
- Emphasizing Palestinian territorial unity and rejecting any arrangements that would separate Gaza from the West Bank.
- Strengthening the role of the Palestinian Authority in governing Gaza, with Arab and international guarantees to support reconstruction and stability.
- Ensuring Arab and international oversight of reconstruction efforts while preventing foreign interventions that could undermine Palestinian sovereignty.
- Rejecting any attempts to resettle Palestinians outside their homeland.
- The creation of three “safe zones” inside Gaza where Palestinians can initially reside while Egyptian and international construction companies clear the rubble and rehabilitate the infrastructure.
Both France and Germany support the idea of an Arab country presenting a counterproposal to Trump’s plan, noting that Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El-Sisi discussed his government’s efforts with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron, in a phone call earlier this month.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Ati also briefed his German counterpart and other European Union officials on the plan on the sidelines of the Munich Security Conference last week, according to sources.
Who Will Govern Gaza? A Key Issue in Reconstruction
In this context, the Associated Press points out that reconstruction cannot proceed without an agreement on the second phase of the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, which includes determining who will govern Gaza. However, this issue remains unresolved, especially as Tel Aviv insists on completely eliminating Hamas’s rule.
According to Associated Press sources, the Egyptian proposal addresses this issue and includes the establishment of an independent Palestinian administration separate from both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority to oversee the reconstruction process.
Palestinian police force
The proposal also includes the formation of a Palestinian police force consisting primarily of former officers who remained in Gaza after Hamas took control of the territory in 2007, with reinforcements from Egyptian- and Western-trained forces.
Regarding the possibility of deploying an Arab force in Gaza, an Egyptian official and an Arab diplomat told the agency that Arab states would only agree to such a plan if there is a “clear path” toward establishing an independent Palestinian state.
The agency also reported that Hamas has expressed willingness to relinquish control of Gaza. Hamas spokesman Abdul Latif Al-Qanoua stated that the movement has accepted the formation of a Palestinian unity government without Hamas’s participation. However, the Palestinian Authority has so far opposed any plans that exclude it.
Reactions from Key Parties:
- The Palestinian Authority supports the Egyptian proposal, seeing it as a safeguard against attempts to isolate Gaza.
- Israel has not officially commented, but reports suggest opposition to any plan that restores the Palestinian Authority’s role in Gaza.
- The U.S. administration has yet to issue a formal response, though diplomatic sources indicate tensions between Cairo and Washington over the matter.
Next Steps:
Egypt is expected to present its proposal at the emergency Arab summit in Cairo on March 4, followed by coordination with international powers to secure support for its initiative as an alternative to the American plan.
