Arab leaders have dismissed President Donald Trump’s proposal for the U.S. to “take over Gaza” and relocate its Palestinian population, instead approving a $53 billion plan to rebuild the war-torn territory.
The decision, reached at an emergency summit in Cairo, underscores the Arab League’s firm rejection of any forced or voluntary displacement of Palestinians.
Egypt led the initiative, unveiling a 91-page blueprint featuring plans for new neighborhoods and infrastructure. This vision directly counters Trump’s controversial “Middle East Riviera” proposal, which has been widely criticized across the Arab world. Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi stressed that any rebuilding effort must be tied to political progress toward a two-state solution—an outcome strongly opposed by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
The Arab plan calls for Gaza to be temporarily administered by a “Gaza management committee” under the Palestinian government, staffed by technocrats. However, the role of Hamas remains unclear. While some Arab states advocate for its complete dismantling, others believe leadership decisions should be left to Palestinians. Hamas has reportedly accepted that it will not govern Gaza but remains unwilling to disarm, a key demand of both Israel and Trump.
Security is another pressing issue. The Arab League is urging the UN Security Council to deploy peacekeepers in Gaza to ensure stability. Additionally, a major international donor conference is scheduled for next month to raise the necessary funds, with wealthy Gulf states expected to contribute. However, global investors remain cautious, fearing renewed violence.
The reconstruction initiative is set to unfold in three phases. The first, lasting six months, will focus on clearing rubble and unexploded ordinance. The following two phases, spanning several years, will aim to restore Gaza’s essential infrastructure, including schools, hospitals, and utilities. The UN estimates that over 90% of homes in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, leaving 1.5 million Palestinians displaced.
Images in Egypt’s proposal showcase modern temporary housing units in landscaped areas, though the humanitarian crisis remains severe. Trump, in contrast, has described Gaza as a “demolition site” and questioned why Palestinians wouldn’t want to leave, highlighting the stark difference between U.S. and Arab perspectives on the crisis.
While Trump’s plan envisions a radical overhaul of Gaza’s future under American control, the Arab League’s approach focuses on rebuilding and restoring Palestinian rights. With the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas on the verge of collapse, the battle over Gaza’s future is far from over.
