International Desk //

The White House has opposed the proposal of Arab leaders meeting in Cairo to discuss the future of Gaza.

National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes told Anadolu Agency in a statement that “the current proposal does not take into account the real situation in Gaza. Gaza is now uninhabitable, and it is not possible to live humanely in a region covered in rubble and unexploded ordnance.”

He added, “President (Donald) Trump remains steadfast in his plan to reconstruct Gaza free of Hamas. We are ready to discuss further to bring peace and prosperity to the region.”

Arab Conference and Egypt’s Reconstruction Plan

An emergency Arab conference in Cairo on Tuesday endorsed Egypt’s plan, which promises to complete the reconstruction without displacing Palestinians from Gaza.

Under the plan, Egypt would deliver humanitarian aid to Gaza, as well as rapidly build infrastructure and rebuild devastated areas. Egypt has proposed an international monitoring mechanism to oversee and manage the reconstruction of Gaza, which would be coordinated by the United Nations and the Arab League.

Egypt has proposed a five-year reconstruction plan worth $53 billion, which would address the displacement of Palestinians in the besieged Gaza Strip. A document shows that $3 billion and six months are needed to remove the rubble and rebuild about 60,000 partially damaged homes.

Under the plan, new homes for 3 million people will be built by 2030, along with an airport, port, industrial areas, hotels and parks. The reconstruction process must ensure that an interim administration, security and the vision of a two-state solution are preserved.

Trump’s controversial plan

Earlier, Trump announced plans to occupy Gaza and turn it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.” Although he has spoken of resettling Palestinians, the Arab world and many other countries have rejected the plan, calling it tantamount to ethnic cleansing.

Egypt’s new plan opposes the proposal and promises to rebuild Gaza while maintaining a Palestinian presence. However, recent comments from the White House indicate that Washington is not yet backing the plan.

Comment.