Cairo Arab Summit Endorses Egypt’s Gaza Reconstruction Initiative

The emergency Arab summit in Cairo has adopted Egypt’s reconstruction plan for Gaza, condemning Israel’s actions that hinder humanitarian aid and calling for international intervention. The plan aims for comprehensive recovery while rejecting the displacement of Palestinians. Arab leaders united to uphold Palestinian rights and push for a peaceful resolution to the ongoing conflict.

An emergency Arab summit convened in Cairo has formally adopted Egypt’s reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip. The summit’s final declaration emphasizes that the plan was submitted by the Arab Republic of Egypt in collaboration with the State of Palestine and various Arab nations and is informed by World Bank and UN Development Fund studies, aiming for comprehensive recovery and reconstruction in Gaza.

The statement from the summit condemned the forced displacement of Palestinians, labeling it unacceptable under any circumstances, and established an Arab legal committee tasked with examining such displacement as potentially constituting genocide. Additionally, it criticized Israel’s actions to obstruct humanitarian aid and close critical crossings, deeming these actions violations of ceasefire agreements and international law.

The summit also addressed Israel’s aggressive maneuvers against Syria and the need for the immediate withdrawal of Israeli forces, urging international action. Further, it insisted on unhindered access for Palestinian worshippers to Al-Aqsa Mosque and denounced attempts to dislocate Palestinians from their homes in the West Bank.

In its statement, the summit called on the UN Security Council to deploy peacekeeping forces in both the West Bank and Gaza, emphasizing the need to foster a conducive environment for realizing a Palestinian state. The statement reiterated the importance of adhering to the ceasefire agreement in Gaza, along with a stern warning against any efforts aimed at displacing Palestinians or annexing their lands, which could trigger regional destabilization.

Arab League Secretary-General Ahmed Aboul Gheit articulated that Egypt’s reconstruction initiative serves as the Arab response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal regarding Gaza’s population. The Arab nations collectively rejected Trump’s plan, asserting it constitutes ethnic cleansing. Aboul Gheit highlighted that an Arab-Islamic committee is committed to advocating for the reconstruction plan at international levels, and awaited responses from global leaders.

Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa underscored that Gaza remains an inseparable part of the State of Palestine and emphasized the necessity of unity between Gaza and the West Bank. He confirmed participation in an upcoming Organization of Islamic Cooperation meeting to further the support for the reconstruction plan.

The reconstruction process delineated in the Arab strategy spans three phases, beginning with a foundational period of six months and extending into a more sustained two and a half-year initiative, all while firmly rejecting any actions leading to Palestinian displacement. A Gaza administration committee is expected to be established for a transitional six-month term, comprising independent technocrats under the Palestinian government’s supervision.

The Arab summit in Cairo has solidified Egypt’s plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, emphasizing cooperation among Arab nations and condemning violations against Palestinians. With the establishment of a legal committee and calls for international support, the summit seeks to address humanitarian crises while reaffirming Palestinian rights amidst ongoing tensions. This collective Arab response represents a pivotal moment in the pursuit of peace and stability in the region.

Original Source: www.hurriyetdailynews.com