Cairo: An emergency summit of the Arab League, held in Cairo on March 4, endorsed a USD 53-billion Egyptian-led plan for Gaza’s reconstruction as a “comprehensive Arab strategy.” The declaration came a day after Israel halted humanitarian aid to the war-torn enclave, marking the end of the first phase of the Israel-Hamas Agreement.
The Cairo Declaration outlines the first collective Arab approach for Gaza’s post-war recovery, contingent on the full implementation of a ceasefire, particularly by Israel. It also serves as a counter to US President Donald Trump’s recent proposal to permanently displace Palestinians and turn Gaza into a US-controlled resort, The Indian Express reported.
Gaza governance and rebuilding
Building on the Bahrain Declaration from May 2024, the plan suggests a transitional Gaza administration committee with qualified Gazans, a trust fund for reconstruction and financial support based on studies by the World Bank and UN Development Fund. It reiterates the call for UN peacekeeping forces in Gaza and the West Bank, a proposal Israel had previously considered.
The declaration upholds the long-standing Arab position on a two-state solution, echoing the 2002 Arab Peace Initiative. It reaffirms support for an independent Palestinian state within the 1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, coexisting peacefully with Israel. Additionally, it stresses the need for Palestinian unity under the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO), excluding Hamas.
Hamas omission sparks criticism
Unlike previous Arab League statements, the Cairo Declaration does not mention Hamas or demand its removal. It leaves room for the group’s potential role in Gaza’s future. Israel and the US criticised this omission. The plan envisions an interim administration until the Palestinian Authority (PA) assumes control and holds elections, a prospect Israel has opposed.
Hamas welcomed the proposal, likely due to the commitment to elections. However, concerns remain over what would happen if Hamas or its allies won again, given their continued popularity despite losses in the war.
The declaration rejects the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians and pushes back against Trump’s proposal for Egypt and Jordan to absorb displaced Gazans. It also demands Israel’s complete withdrawal from Gaza, including the Philadelphi Corridor, as a prerequisite for a lasting ceasefire.
Israeli stance and obstacles
The plan’s success hinges on Israeli cooperation, which would require Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to soften his stance on Hamas. However, the viability of the two-state solution remains uncertain, as Israeli settlement expansion in the West Bank continues, with thousands of new homes approved since 2023.Without a halt to Israeli settlements and meaningful negotiations, the prospects for Palestinian statehood remain dim.
