The Arab plan to rebuild Gaza entails a projected $53 billion funding requirement based on a UN-EU-World Bank report. Despite its endorsement by Egyptian-led Arab states, the proposal faces criticisms regarding governance, the role of Hamas, and funding sources. U.S. and Israeli rejections emphasize Gaza’s dire humanitarian conditions, complicating the plan’s implementation.
The Arab plan to reconstruct Gaza has been estimated to require $53 billion, a figure derived from a recent UN-EU-World Bank report. Despite its significance, the proposal has faced criticism for lacking clarity on governance, the fate of Hamas, and financial backing. Notably, the White House and Israel have expressed their reservations regarding the plan.
Egypt, leading the Arab states, has endorsed a comprehensive roadmap for Gaza’s reconstruction which counters a prior proposal by former President Donald Trump that envisioned transforming Gaza into the ‘Riviera of the Middle East’ while displacing Palestinians. The Arab initiative aims to establish Palestinian Authority control, rejecting the influence of Hamas.
U.S. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes articulated the administration’s stance, stating the proposal fails to acknowledge Gaza’s current humanitarian crisis, marked by rubble and unexploded ordnance, thus supporting Trump’s vision instead. The comprehensive plan titled “Gaza 2030” was presented at an emergency summit in Cairo and emphasizes the need to override Hamas’s presence.
Arab states have called for prompt support from international financing bodies to implement this plan, highlighting prospective contributions from wealthy Gulf nations and European countries, though funding specifics remain vague. Paul Musgrave from Georgetown University noted the plan’s shortcomings, questioning whether Hamas would accept necessary political conditions, and whether Israel would permit a unified Palestinian Authority’s reentry into Gaza.
Israel’s officials criticized the plan as outdated and misaligned with the current realities following the October 7th events, insisting that Hamas must release all Israeli hostages prior to any discussions on aid or ceasefire extensions. The summit’s outcomes include calls for an international conference aimed at Gaza’s reconstruction in partnership with the UN.
A structured three-phase approach for Gaza’s reconstruction was outlined in the plan, where the first phase lasts six months with a $3 billion budget for rubble removal and temporary housing for 1.5 million displaced persons. The second phase estimates a $20 billion investment over two years to build housing for 1.6 million while restoring vital services. Finally, the third phase, with a budget of $30 billion over 2.5 years, aims to provide housing capable of accommodating up to 3 million individuals.
The proposal delineates an interim administrative framework, devoid of Hamas’s control, establishing a transitional management committee composed of technocrats under the oversight of the Palestinian government. The ultimate objective is to restore full Palestinian National Authority governance in Gaza alongside timely presidential and legislative elections across Palestinian territories. A representative from Hamas acknowledged the proposal’s conducive aspects, affirming the group’s long-standing support for elections, provided the necessary conditions are met, while remaining skeptical about disarming.
The Arab plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, crucially estimated at $53 billion, faces significant challenges including governance issues and the role of Hamas. Despite Arab states endorsing the plan, it has been met with skepticism from both Israel and the United States. Detailed phases for reconstruction aim to restore normalcy by 2030, yet the feasibility of governance and funding remains uncertain. Ultimately, the path forward is fraught with complexities that necessitate significant negotiation and support from the international community.
Original Source: www.nbcmiami.com
