US and Israel Dismiss Arab Reconstruction Proposal for Gaza

Amid a fragile ceasefire and heightened tensions, the US and Israel reject an Arab League-backed reconstruction proposal for Gaza, which emphasizes local governance and opposes displacing Palestinians. Contrasting views emerge on the best path forward for Gaza's future after severe infrastructural damage and humanitarian crises following ongoing conflict.

The US and Israel have rebutted an Arab-led alternative plan designed for the reconstruction of Gaza that aims to permit the 2.1 million Palestinians in the region to remain in their homes. This proposal, which received support from Arab leaders at a Cairo summit, stands in stark contrast to President Donald Trump's proposal suggesting a US takeover of Gaza and the permanent resettlement of its population elsewhere.

The Palestinian Authority and Hamas have shown a favorable response to the Arab plan, which proposes that a committee of independent experts temporarily govern Gaza alongside the deployment of international peacekeepers. Nevertheless, both the US White House and the Israeli foreign ministry argued that the plan does not confront the realities on the ground in Gaza and reiterated their backing for Trump’s vision.

The summit occurred amid escalating anxieties regarding the viability of Gaza's fragile ceasefire, which entered a six-week initial phase that recently expired. Israel's strategy includes restricting aid to the territory to convincingly persuade Hamas to consider a new US proposal for a ceasefire extension, which would coincide with additional hostages returning in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has argued for the continuation of the ceasefire as established previously, advocating for the end of hostilities and the full withdrawal of Israeli troops.

At the summit, Egypt presented a comprehensive $53 billion plan to rebuild Gaza post-conflict, advocating for the dignified treatment of the Palestinian populace. It categorically rejected any initiated displacement of Palestinian individuals, which was labeled as a violation of international law and an act of ethnic cleansing. This reconstruction plan is detailed in three phases over five years, encompassing the relocation of 1.5 million displaced individuals into ready-made housing units and repaired homes.

The rebuilding process began with an initial $3 billion phase focused on clearing rubble and unexploded munitions, followed by a two-year housing restoration phase costing $20 billion, and concluding with a third phase that aims to develop an airport and seaports at a cost of $30 billion.

Despite the endorsement from Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who appealed to Trump for support, Israel’s foreign ministry promptly dismissed the plan, arguing it fails to understand the implications of the situation formed since the conflict escalated on October 7, 2023. They emphasized that Trump's proposal presents an unprecedented opportunity for Gaza's residents to exercise free choice over their future.

White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes echoed similar sentiments, asserting that the Arab proposal does not confront the dire conditions in Gaza, where inhabitants face life-threatening challenges amid destruction. President Trump has previously reiterated his commitment to a vision of rebuilding Gaza that excludes Hamas, hinting at the idea of transforming the region into an "upper-class" tourist destination.

Conversely, Hossam Zaki, Assistant Secretary General of the Arab League, described Trump's approach as unacceptable, asserting that it violates international law through forced displacement. Palestinians are particularly cautious, recalling the Nakba, when many were forcibly removed from their homes during the establishment of Israel in 1948.

As military conflicts persist, the humanitarian crisis deepens under the toll of substantial loss of life and widespread destruction across Gaza, with substantial challenges in access to food, healthcare, and shelter amid large-scale displacement from the conflict.