Arab Leaders Endorse Egyptian Plan for Gaza Reconstruction, Opposing Trump's Vision

Arab leaders convened in Cairo on March 4, 2025, to endorse an Egyptian proposal for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip following the conflict between Israel and Hamas. The plan, estimated at $53 billion over five years, aims to allow Palestinians to remain in their homeland, contrasting with Donald Trump's plan to resettle them elsewhere and transform Gaza into a "Riviera of the Middle East." The Egyptian plan includes an initial six-month phase focused on debris removal and temporary housing, costing approximately $3 billion. Subsequent phases involve constructing 200,000 housing units within two years, followed by another 200,000. By 2030, the plan envisions hundreds of thousands of new homes, an airport, industrial zones, hotels, and parks, potentially accommodating up to 3 million people. The proposal has garnered support from the United Nations and the European Union. However, Israel has expressed reservations, insisting on Hamas's disarmament as a prerequisite for any ceasefire agreement. The Hamas group has welcomed the Egyptian proposal.