Arab states to keep talking with Trump envoy on Egypt’s Gaza plan
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Egypt’s reconstruction plan for Gaza provides for an administrative committee of independent, professional Palestinian technocrats entrusted with the governance of Gaza.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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CAIRO – Arab foreign ministers said on March 12 that they would continue consultations with US President Donald Trump’s special envoy over Egypt’s plan for rebuilding the Gaza Strip,
Consultations and coordination on the plan would continue with US special envoy Steve Witkoff as a “basis for the reconstruction efforts” in Gaza, according to a joint statement following a meeting of the foreign ministers in Doha.
Earlier in March, Arab leaders adopted a US$53 billion (S$70.7 billion) Egyptian reconstruction plan for Gaza that would avoid displacing Palestinians from the enclave, in contrast to Mr Trump’s vision of a “Middle East Riviera”.
Mr Trump’s plan reinforced longstanding Palestinian fears of being permanently driven from their homes and was met with widespread international rejection.
Egypt, Jordan and Gulf Arab states are concerned that any such plan would destabilise the entire region.
Egypt’s reconstruction plan for Gaza provides for an administrative committee of independent, professional Palestinian technocrats entrusted with the governance of Gaza.
The plan is detailed in a 112-page document that includes maps of how its land would be redeveloped and dozens of colourful artificial intelligence-generated images of housing developments, gardens and community centres.
Large-scale reconstruction funding would require heavy buy-in from oil-rich Gulf Arab states such as the United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia.
The White House has previously said the plan, which recently received backing from France, Germany, Italy and Britain, did not address Gaza’s reality. REUTERS
