The United States and Israel have rejected an Arab initiative for the post-war reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, which would allow the 2.1 million Palestinians living there to remain in their homeland.
The proposal, endorsed by Arab leaders at a summit in Cairo on March 4, is an alternative to U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan for the U.S. to take over Gaza and permanently resettle its population.
The $53 billion Arab plan for rebuilding Gaza was presented by Egypt at the emergency Arab League summit on Tuesday.
A statement endorsing the plan stressed “the categorical rejection of any form of displacement of the Palestinian people,” describing such an idea as “a gross violation of international law, a crime against humanity and ethnic cleansing.”
The Palestinian Authority and Hamas both welcomed the Arab initiative, which calls for Gaza to be governed temporarily by a committee of independent experts and for international peacekeepers to be deployed in the enclave.
However, both the White House and the Israeli foreign ministry said it failed to address realities in Gaza and stood by Trump’s vision.
The summit in Cairo took place amid growing concern that Gaza’s fragile ceasefire deal could collapse after its six-week first phase expired last Saturday.
Israel has blocked aid from entering the territory to pressure Hamas to accept a U.S. proposal for a temporary extension of the first stage of the ceasefire, during which the remaining Israeli prisoners held in Gaza would be released in exchange for more Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas has insisted the second phase should begin as agreed, leading to an end of the war and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.
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