Arab leaders approve $53bn plan to rebuild Gaza, reject Trump’s takeover proposal

Arab leaders have unanimously agreed on a five-year, $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza, countering a proposal by U.S. President Donald Trump to “take over” the coastal enclave.

The decision was made during an emergency summit in Cairo, where leaders pledged to rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinians.

Arab Leaders Endorse Egypt’s Reconstruction Plan

The summit saw the endorsement of Egypt’s comprehensive plan for rebuilding Gaza, which will begin with urgent relief efforts and eventually lead to full reconstruction.

The plan, which received Hamas’ approval, proposes that an independent group of Palestinian technocrats manage Gaza in the interim, with the armed group ceding power until a reformed Palestinian Authority (PA) can take over governance.

Israel, which continues to enforce a blockade on Gaza, dismissed the plan, arguing that it fails to address the security realities following the October 7 attacks. However, the White House stated that Trump welcomes input from Arab partners, though it insists that Hamas cannot continue governing Gaza.

Key Features of the Gaza Reconstruction Plan

The Egyptian blueprint outlines a three-phase approach:

• Phase One (Six Months): A committee of Palestinian technocrats, operating under the PA, will clear rubble from Salah al-Din Street, Gaza’s main north-south highway. Temporary housing units for 1.2 million displaced residents will be constructed, while 60,000 damaged buildings will be restored.
• Phase Two & Three (Four to Five Years): The long-term plan includes constructing 400,000 permanent homes, rebuilding Gaza’s seaport and international airport, and restoring essential infrastructure such as water, waste management, telecommunications, and electricity.

To finance the project, international donor conferences will be held to secure funding for both reconstruction and long-term development in Gaza.

Egypt to Seek Islamic Cooperation on Gaza Plan

Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, announced that Cairo will present the reconstruction plan to the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) for approval next week.

The OIC, which includes all 22 Arab League members, will hold an emergency foreign ministers’ meeting in Jeddah on March 7 to seek broader Islamic backing for the initiative.