Cairo (Brussels Morning Newspaper) – Arab states heads gather in Cairo with Egypt to propose a plan for Gaza that would sideline Hamas and form interim bodies operated by Arab, Muslim and Western countries in contrast to U.S. President Donald Trump’s vision of a “Middle East Riviera”.
Hamas has stated it rejects any solution inflicted on the Gaza Strip by foreigners. Egypt, Jordan and Gulf Arab nations have for around a month been conferring over an option to Trump’s goal for a departure of Palestinians and U.S. reconstruction of Gaza, which they fear will push uncertainty throughout the region.
How does Egypt plan to sideline Hamas in Gaza?
According to Reuters, a draft envisages a Governance Assistance Mission superseding Gaza’s Hamas-run administration for an unspecified interim time, with responsibility for humanitarian assistance and for beginning reconstruction. Sources said that Israel is unlikely to resist an Arab entity taking over Gaza’s government if Hamas is sidelined.
How does Hamas oppose foreign intervention in Gaza?
As reported by Reuters, senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri said that the body rejects any endeavor to impose schemes or any form of non-Palestinian administration, or the existence of any foreign forces on the Gaza Strip region.
“We are keen for the success of the summit, and we hope that there will be a call to reject the displacement and to protect the right of our people in resisting the occupation and govern itself away from any custodianship and intervention,” he also said.
Who will fund Gaza’s reconstruction after the war?
Analysts say, Egypt’s intent firmly rejects the U.S. suggestion for mass displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, which Arab nations such as Egypt and Jordan witness as a security threat. The Egyptian proposal does not state who would pay to rebuild Gaza at a U.N.-estimated expense of more than $53 billion.
A source said that any future plan will require serious buy-in from oil-rich Gulf Arab nations like Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, who have the billions of dollars required. The UAE, which notices Hamas as a threat, desires an immediate and total disarmament of the body while other Arab nations advocate a gradual procedure.
