Gaza’s Future: Arab Plan Tied to Hamas

Several Arab countries, including Egypt, are working on reconstruction plans for war-torn Gaza.

The goal is to ensure the Palestinians remain in the region without displacement while establishing a governance system in Gaza that excludes Hamas.

Work on these plans began following former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Palestinians from Gaza to Egypt, Jordan, or another country, thereby gaining full control over Gaza.

According to him, this would transform the area into the “ideal region” of the Middle East.

According to the international news agency Reuters, four proposed plans have been drafted so far, with Egypt’s plan emerging as the leading alternative to Trump’s proposal within the Arab world.

BBC sources confirm that the technical details of this plan are being finalized in Cairo, beginning with the removal of debris, followed by Gaza’s reconstruction.

At the same time, discussions are ongoing about where the people of Gaza will reside during this period and what the post-war governance system will look like.

However, the future of armed groups in Gaza, including Hamas and Islamic Jihad, remains under consideration.

Egypt has stated that this plan will be developed with the support of the U.S. administration. Egyptian sources told the BBC that the United Nations and the European Union will also play a key role in this project.

Egypt is consulting with Arab nations, including Jordan and Saudi Arabia, to finalize the plan before a possible meeting in Riyadh on February 21, where the Palestinian Authority may also be involved.

Following this, an emergency Arab meeting will be held in Cairo, which was initially scheduled for February 27 but has been delayed due to various reasons.

How Will the Plan Work Without Palestinian Displacement?

Egyptian sources told the BBC that Arab consultations have begun to prepare for a Gaza reconstruction conference with European involvement.

The Egyptian plan primarily focuses on dividing Gaza into three sections for reconstruction, with 20 large camps in each section providing basic necessities such as water and electricity.

The plan includes the introduction of mobile homes and tents as temporary shelters for up to six months while the debris is cleared.

At present, due to Israeli restrictions, this work cannot commence in the early stages of the ceasefire. The plan also highlights the need for fuel and construction materials to be supplied to Gaza.

Under the Egyptian proposal, Arab countries and international organizations will provide financial assistance, with 50 multinational companies ensuring secure housing in the three designated sections of Gaza within 18 months.

A committee comprising Arab and international representatives will oversee the financial aid process.

Additionally, the plan includes the construction of a buffer zone and barriers to prevent the digging of tunnels along the Gaza-Egypt border.

Dr. Tariq, President of the Egyptian Engineers Syndicate, told the BBC that due to costs and the involvement of multiple parties, the project could take three to five years to complete.