Arab leaders meet in Cairo to counter Trump’s proposal on Gaza

An emergency summit of Arab leaders is taking place today, March 4, in Cairo with the aim of formulating a counter-plan to the proposal put forward by US President Donald Trump regarding the Gaza Strip. 

The US plan, which suggests the expulsion of Palestinians from Gaza, is expected to face strong opposition from the Arab states, Caliber.Az reports via Jewish media.

The final statement of the summit is expected to support Egypt's reconstruction plan for Gaza and emphasize efforts to remove obstacles hindering its implementation. Arab leaders are also set to address the contentious issue of disarming terrorist organizations in Gaza, working toward a solution that would resolve this ongoing challenge.

A key element of the summit’s expected declaration will be a firm stance against the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. The Arab leaders will stress the need for unrestricted aid to the region and reaffirm their opposition to Israel’s plans to annex the West Bank.

Meanwhile, Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas has proposed his own blueprint for Gaza, which counters the Egyptian initiative. According to Abbas, Hamas would be excluded from the Gaza government, with the Strip being run by a committee appointed on his behalf, headed by the current Palestinian deputy prime minister. This proposal is intended as a direct counterbalance to the Egyptian plan, which suggests a civilian technocratic committee composed of members from all Palestinian factions, including Hamas and Fatah.

A senior Palestinian Authority official speaking to Al-Arabi Al-Jadeed expressed skepticism about the effectiveness of any measures emerging from the summit. The official questioned whether any decisions would lead to tangible actions, particularly in terms of financial support for the Palestinian Authority, and doubted the usefulness of the response to President Trump’s proposal.

On January 19, a ceasefire started in the Gaza Strip after 15 months of intense conflict. The agreement involved a cessation of hostilities and progressive three phases to lead to a full Israeli withdrawal from Gaza.

By Khagan Isayev