Reconstructing Gaza Without Palestinians

"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."

"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."

 U.S. National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes 

 

"The future of Gaza must be determined solely by the Palestinians."

"Hamas rejects any attempt to impose external projects, non-Palestinian administration, or the presence of foreign forces in Gaza."

"The weapon of the resistance is a red line, and it is not negotiable. We will not accept [any deal] to trade it for reconstruction or the entry of aid."
Senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri

A Palestinian Hamas militant shakes hands with a child as they stand guard as people gather on the day of the handover of hostages, including four held in Gaza since the deadly October 7 2023 attack, to members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) as part of a ceasefire and a hostages-prisoners swap deal between Hamas and Israel, in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, Reuters

 

Positioned as an alternative to U.S. President Donald Trump's vision for a "Middle East Riviera", an Egyptian plan for Gaza has proposed replacing the Palestinian Hamas terrorist governing group with interim governing bodies to be managed by Arab, Muslim and Western states. A Tuesday Arab League summit in Cairo saw initial support for the proposal. A draft statement calling for international and financial support for its implementation followed.

 

The cost to get on with this project is by no means modest: Egypt estimates that reconstruction for the Strip would come out to $53 billion. $3 billion of that total to be allocated for rubble removal, clearing unexploded munitions, and the construction of temporary housing. In addition to which $20 billion would be geared for funding the first two years of reconstruction, with a focus on utilities and permanent housing. The $30 billion that remained would be earmarked to develop an aspirational seaport, airport, and industrial zones. 

 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas meets with the Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, during the emergency Arab summit organized by Egypt this week, in Cairo, Egypt March 4, 2025. Palestinian President Office/Handout via REUTERS

An international Governance Assistance Mission is envisioned by the plan to oversee humanitarian aid and Gaza reconstruction. No significant international funding for Gaza's rehabilitation and reconstruction is to be provided for, as long as Hamas remains the dominant armed political force in control of local governance, according to the draft preamble. 

An International Stabilization Force led by Arab states has been proposed, funded by donor conferences and Palestinian involvement in efforts of the rebuilding. Hamas has been excluded by the plan which does not place the Palestinian Authority in a central role. Rather, a steering board comprising Arab countries, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the United States and the European Union would be tasked in overseeing implementation.

 

In the process, the Egyptian plan rejects the Trump proposal for resettling Gaza's civilian residents throughout the reconstruction of the enclave, transforming it into a global economic hub. President Trump's Gaza plan was praised a day earlier by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu who spoke of the plan as "visionary and innovative", thanking the president for his support throughout the Gaza war. 

 

White House National Security Council Spokesman Brian Hughes remarked that President Trump remains committed to his post-war vision for Gaza, while welcoming contributions from Arab partners. Mr. Trump's proposals, according to Hughes, facilitated regional discussions and prevented the onset of further crises. Crises that are always on the cusp of recurring, as Iran proxies Hamas, Hezbollah and Yemen's Houthis continue to threaten Israel's existence, promising ongoing October 7 atrocities in their bid to destroy Israel.

 

The Egyptian plan fails to mention specific funding sources, and the assumption is that Gulf and Arab states would be required initially to contribute at least $20 billion of the estimated total reconstruction of Gaza of over $53 billion. Presumably, the international community which has over the past near-century provided billions upon billions of 'humanitarian aid' to Palestinian 'refugees' would be assumed to be eager to make up the gap between the generosity of the ME Arab community and the projected total.

 

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas (L) meets with Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (R) on the sidelines of the Emergency Arab summit in Cairo, Egypt, on March 04, 2025 [Palestinian Presidency/Handout – Anadolu Agency]