U.S. President Donald Trump is supporting an Egyptian plan for Gaza after discussions with Jordan’s King Abdullah II. This new approach seeks to prevent forced displacements of Palestinians and focuses on post-war governance led by Egypt. Egypt successfully negotiated the release of captives by Hamas, doubling the agreed number in a recent ceasefire deal. The future governance of Gaza involves collaboration with local and Arab state actors, avoiding the inclusion of Hamas or the PA in the proposed administration.
Recent discussions between U.S. President Donald Trump and Jordan’s King Abdullah II have resulted in support for an Egyptian plan concerning Gaza. Senior Egyptian officials revealed that the U.S. has shifted its stance, moving away from the previous proposal to forcibly displace Palestinians. Instead, the focus will now be on an Egyptian-led initiative for post-war governance in Gaza, backed by Arab states.
King Abdullah’s visit to Washington was pivotal in convincing Trump to abandon any plans for forced displacements. Although he did not confront Trump directly regarding his Gaza takeover suggestion, he cautioned that such actions risked inciting Islamic extremism and destabilizing U.S.-aligned governments in the region.
The aftermath of the meeting saw increased cooperation, with Egypt negotiating the release of captives held by Hamas, who agreed to let six individuals go in exchange for the entry of reconstructive aid and heavy machinery into Gaza. This was a notable achievement, doubling the number stipulated in the ceasefire agreement.
Plans are underway for Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to visit Riyadh to further discuss the governance structure of post-war Gaza. Meanwhile, Trump’s earlier proposals have stirred significant controversy, alarming both U.S. officials and Arab allies, who feared extensive regional backlash from potential forced relocations.
As negotiations continue, uncertainty surrounds Trump’s intentions regarding Gaza. Recent comments by Secretary of State Marco Rubio imply that the focus may now shift towards incentives for Arab states rather than outright annexation. Notably, influential senators indicate that there is a reluctance among U.S. lawmakers for any direct involvement in Gaza affairs.
While Israel has expressed interest in Trump’s ideas, it is ostensibly engaging in talks regarding the framework for Gaza’s governance following the conflict. This effort seems congruent with various proposals from Arab states and the Palestinian Authority (PA) which call for leadership structures in the region not affiliated with Hamas.
The Egyptian plan is reportedly designed to involve a policed governance that eschews both Hamas and the PA, relying instead on former PA policemen who remained in Gaza post-2007 elections. Nonetheless, any arrangement hinges on questions of security control, reflecting concerns from past conflicts about armed factions maintaining autonomy.
In summary, recent developments indicate a strategic pivot in U.S. involvement in Gaza, moving towards an Egyptian-led plan that seeks to stabilize the region without forcing Palestinian displacements. The engagement between Trump and King Abdullah signifies a collaborative effort among Arab states to establish a governance framework for Gaza that acknowledges local influences while addressing international concerns. The effectiveness of the proposals remains to be seen, especially concerning security management and reparative measures for the devastated enclave.
Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net
