Arab states to keep consultating the US on reconstruction

13/3/2025 6:04

Arab foreign ministers said

on Wednesday they would continue consultations with U.S.

President Donald Trump's special envoy over Egypt's plan for

rebuilding the Gaza Strip, an alternative to Trump's proposed

takeover of the Palestinian territory.



Consultations and coordination on the plan would continue

with the U.S. special envoy, Steve Witkoff, as a "basis for the

reconstruction efforts" in Gaza, according to a joint statement

following a meeting of the foreign ministers in Doha.



Earlier this month, Arab leaders adopted a $53 billion

Egyptian reconstruction plan for Gaza that would avoid

displacing Palestinians from the enclave, in contrast to Trump's

vision of a "Middle East Riviera".



Trump's plan reinforced long-standing Palestinian fears of

being permanently driven from their homes, and was met with

widespread international rejection.



Egypt, Jordan and Gulf Arab states are concerned that any

such plan would destabilise the entire region.



Egypt's reconstruction plan for Gaza provides for an

administrative committee of independent, professional

Palestinian technocrats entrusted with the governance of Gaza.



The plan is detailed in a 112-page document that includes

maps of how its land would be redeveloped and dozens of

colourful AI-generated images of housing developments, gardens

and community centres.



Large-scale reconstruction funding would require heavy

buy-in from oil-rich Gulf Arab states such as the United Arab

Emirates and Saudi Arabia.



The White House has previously said that the plan, which has

recently received backing from France, Germany, Italy and

Britain, did not address Gaza's reality.