What Is Egypt's Gaza Reconstruction Plan Proposed By Arab Leaders?

The plan by Egypt consists of three stages: interim measures, reconstruction, and governance. The first phase will go for six months, followed by the next two phases to run over a combined four to five years. 

US National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes has dismissed the Egyptian proposal as unworkable.

Source : PTI

The Arab leaders have endorsed Egypt’s postwar plan for the Gaza Strip, which would allow around 2 million Palestinians to remain. The recent development comes in a counterproposal to US president Donald Trump’s plan to depopulate the territory and develop it as a beach destination. 

According to AP, the $53 billion plan’s endorsement by Arab leaders at a summit in Cairo amounted to a rejection of the proposal by Donald Trump. The summit conclusions were welcomed by Hamas but were rejected by Israel.

A Look At Proposal By Egypt

The plan by Egypt consists of three stages: interim measures, reconstruction, and governance. The first phase will go for six months, followed by the next two phases to run over a combined four to five years. 

Phase 1's estimated cost would be around $3 billion and will include clearing rubble, building 200,000 houses, and restoring 60,000 buildings.

Phase 2 will witness the construction of 400,000 houses, and it will cost around $20 billion.

The Phase 3’s estimated cost will be $30 billion, and the humanitarian aid and governance will be taken care of by the technocratic committees.

How Israel Respond To Egypt's Plan?

Israel continues to support the displacement plan by Gaza. Benjamin Netanyahu, the Prime Minister of Israel, has described the plan of US president Donald Trump as “visionary", has repeatedly ruled out any future role for Hamas, and has also for the Palestinian Authority.

According to a report by Al Jazeera, Egypt, meanwhile, has called the response by Israel unacceptable. 

US National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes has dismissed the Egyptian proposal as unworkable.

“The current proposal does not address the reality that Gaza is currently uninhabitable and residents cannot humanely live in a territory covered in debris and unexploded ordnance,” Hughes said. “President Trump stands by his vision to rebuild Gaza free from Hamas. We look forward to further talks to bring peace and prosperity to the region,” reports news agency AP.