Muslim Nations Endorse Alternative to Trump’s Controversial Gaza Plan

The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation endorsed an Arab League proposal opposing Trump’s Gaza takeover plan. The Egyptian initiative aims for Gaza’s reconstruction under Palestinian Authority governance and has garnered backing from several European nations. It excludes Hamas and seeks international support to improve Gaza’s dire living conditions, reflecting a unified Arab opposition to displacement.

On March 7, 2025, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) convened in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, endorsing an Arab League counter-proposal to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial plan for Gaza. This decision, made during an emergency meeting with 57 member nations present, follows the Arab League’s approval of the plan three days earlier in Cairo. The Egyptian proposal aims to facilitate the rebuilding of Gaza under Palestinian Authority governance.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced that the proposal has transformed into an Arab-Islamic initiative, and he characterized it as a significant advancement. President Trump’s plan, which suggested the U.S. “take over” Gaza and relocate Palestinians to Egypt or Jordan, has faced widespread condemnation globally.

The Arab leaders at the recent Cairo summit also initiated a trust fund for Gaza’s reconstruction, calling on the international community to support this effort. Abdelatty remarked, “The next step is for the plan to become an international plan through adoption by the European Union and international parties such as Japan, Russia, China and others.” Contact with various stakeholders, including U.S. representatives, is ongoing to advance the initiative.

Nonetheless, the proposed plan has been met with criticism for not including Hamas, which controls Gaza. According to State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce, this alternative “does not meet the expectations” of the U.S., while Trump’s envoy acknowledged it as a positive first step.

Notably, Britain, France, Germany, and Italy expressed support for the Muslim-majority nations’ proposal, describing it as a “realistic path” towards Gaza’s reconstruction. The foreign ministers stated that implementation could lead to significant improvements in the dire living conditions of the Palestinian population in Gaza.

Political analyst Rabha Seif Allam highlighted Egypt’s efforts to garner wide support for an initiative that rejects Palestinian displacement. The united Arab opposition to Trump’s plan is evident, with Saudi Arabia also conducting discussions on alternative strategies with Arab leaders.

In summary, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation has formally endorsed an Egyptian-crafted proposal as an alternative to Trump’s controversial Gaza plan. This initiative seeks to facilitate Gaza’s reconstruction while ensuring the Palestinian Authority’s governance, though it does not include Hamas. Additionally, broad international support is being sought to enhance the initiative’s efficacy and improve the living conditions in Gaza. The unity among Arab nations in their opposition to displacement marks a significant development in the ongoing situation.

Original Source: www.jordantimes.com