Egypt Daily News – Saudi Arabia announced on Thursday that leaders of the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC), Jordan’s King Abdullah II, and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi will meet in Riyadh on Friday for an “informal fraternal gathering.”
Purpose of the Meeting
According to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA), the meeting is part of a series of friendly discussions that have been held periodically for years.
The Egyptian presidency confirmed that President el-Sisi traveled to Saudi Arabia after concluding his visit to Spain. His visit is expected to focus on Gaza’s reconstruction amid reports of a U.S. proposal to resettle displaced Gazans in Egypt and Jordan, a plan that has been met with strong regional opposition.
Arab Reconstruction Plan for Gaza
Reports suggest that Egypt and other Arab states are discussing a plan to rebuild Gaza, possibly with financial contributions of up to $20 billion from regional nations. The proposal seeks to counter a U.S. idea reportedly suggested by former President Donald Trump, which involves placing Gaza under U.S. oversight and relocating a large number of its residents—a move that has alarmed regional leaders.
According to four informed sources, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Qatar are set to review and discuss the Arab plan for Gaza in Riyadh before presenting it at an emergency Arab summit scheduled for March 4 in Cairo.
Key Elements of the Arab Plan
The Arab reconstruction plan, largely based on an Egyptian initiative, reportedly includes:
- A Palestinian-led administration for Gaza that excludes Hamas.
- International involvement in rebuilding efforts.
- No forced displacement of Palestinians from the territory.
- A three-year reconstruction timeline, with an estimated cost of $20 billion.
Israeli Response
Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar stated that Israel will evaluate the Arab plan once it is officially presented but warned that any proposal allowing Hamas to continue governing Gaza would be unacceptable to Israel.
The Arab nations remain deeply opposed to any proposal involving the displacement of Gazans, viewing such plans as destabilizing to the region.
