Egypt has unveiled a comprehensive $53 billion, five-year plan to rebuild Gaza, aiming to address both immediate needs and long-term development.
The proposal, presented at an Arab summit in Cairo, outlines a two-phase approach: an early recovery period followed by extensive reconstruction.
This plan directly counters proposals that suggest the displacement of Gaza’s population.
The initial six-month phase, budgeted at $3 billion, focuses on emergency relief, including clearing debris, removing unexploded ordnance, and providing temporary housing for 1.5 million displaced people.
The subsequent reconstruction phase, spanning four and a half years, is divided into two stages.
The first stage, costing $20 billion, prioritizes rebuilding essential infrastructure and constructing 200,000 permanent housing units.
The second stage, at $30 billion, aims to complete infrastructure projects, build an additional 200,000 housing units, and establish industrial and maritime facilities.
Funding for the plan would come from an internationally supervised trust fund, with a ministerial conference in Cairo planned to secure donor commitments.
Egypt proposes sidelining Hamas, replacing them with a committee of technocrats under the Palestinian Authority (PA) for a six-month transitional period.
The PA would then assume full control. Egypt and Jordan are reportedly training PA security forces for law enforcement in Gaza, with international support.
The plan also raises the possibility of an international peacekeeping presence in the Palestinian territories.
A “credible political process” is seen as crucial to addressing armed factions.
The Arab summit’s draft communique also calls for Palestinian elections within one year, provided conditions are met.
Palestinian President Abbas indicated elections could be held next year.