Egypt Advocates for UN Presence in Gaza and West Bank to Foster Palestinian Statehood

Egypt is proposing a UN presence in Gaza and the West Bank to support Palestinian statehood and a ceasefire. The initiative includes international peacekeeping forces, contingent on a UNSC resolution. The Arab-led plan aims to rebuild Gaza, though it faces opposition from Israel and the United States. The current ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Hamas and Israel remains stalled.

Egypt is advocating for a UN-backed international presence in Gaza and the West Bank with the objective of advancing Palestinian statehood and ensuring a lasting ceasefire. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced this proposal at a recent meeting in Cairo, where he discussed the possibility of deploying international peacekeeping forces, backed by a resolution from the UN Security Council, to facilitate the establishment of an independent Palestinian state.

In his address, Abdelatty did not reveal the current status of the proposal within the UN; however, he noted that the recent emergency Arab summit in Cairo on March 4 addressed pertinent issues relating to this initiative. Furthermore, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry reported that the Arab plan for reconstructing Gaza has garnered substantial regional and international support and that Egypt is working to organize a conference in Cairo to mobilize funding.

The Foreign Minister underscored critical conditions for the reconstruction plan’s efficacy, including maintaining a ceasefire in Gaza, empowering Palestinian leadership in the recovery efforts, and ensuring that Gaza is treated as part of Palestinian territories. He also emphasized the necessity for the Palestinian Authority to reestablish its governance in Gaza through a non-partisan committee.

In a collaborative effort, Egypt and Jordan have commenced training Palestinian police forces to prepare for their deployment in Gaza. The reconstruction initiative, managed by Egypt, envisions a $53 billion investment over five years to rebuild Gaza, while retaining the Palestinian populace in their homeland. Notably, both Israel and the United States have opposed this plan in favor of a previous proposal by former President Donald Trump that involves relocating Palestinians to neighboring countries.

The ceasefire and prisoner exchange deal between Hamas and Israel, facilitated by Qatar and Egypt, reached its initial phase conclusion on March 1, 2025. Despite the agreement’s inception on January 19, its transition into a subsequent phase remains stagnant, primarily due to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s hesitance in fulfilling commitments, specifically the cessation of military operations and withdrawal from Gaza, which Hamas demands as prerequisites.

Egypt has taken steps to instigate an international presence in Gaza and the West Bank, promoting a resolution from the UN Security Council to commence the creation of a Palestinian state. The proposed reconstruction plan for Gaza aims to address the humanitarian crisis and enhance governance under Palestinian authority. However, challenges remain as regional politics complicate the pursuit of peace and stability amidst ongoing conflicts.

Original Source: www.palestinechronicle.com