Trump Supports Egypt’s Gaza Plan Post-Meeting with Jordan’s King

After meeting with Jordan’s King Abdullah, President Trump endorsed Egypt’s post-war Gaza plan, which aims to prevent forced displacements of Palestinians. An Egyptian official confirmed the support from Arab nations and reported a successful negotiation for captive releases by Hamas. Upcoming discussions in Riyadh will further outline Egypt’s governance strategy for Gaza, with significant reconstruction costs projected.

After a meeting with King Abdullah II of Jordan, U.S. President Donald Trump has reportedly aligned with Egypt’s proposed post-war plan for Gaza. A senior Egyptian official stated that due to King Abdullah’s discussions in Washington, they successfully urged Trump away from endorsing a forced Palestinian displacement from Gaza. The Egyptian plan is set to be supported by Arab nations and aims for governance in Gaza following the conflict’s conclusion.

King Abdullah did not publicly criticize Trump’s controversial proposal regarding Gaza, but privately warned that such actions could spur Islamic extremism and destabilize pro-U.S. governments in the region. The Egyptian official described Trump as attentive and receptive during the discussions. Furthermore, Egypt demonstrated its growing role in Gaza by negotiating the release of captives held by Hamas, with the help of a newly allowed influx of reconstruction equipment into the region.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi is scheduled to visit Riyadh to discuss the ongoing situation in Gaza. Trump’s earlier suggestion that the U.S. might take control of Gaza had faced backlash among Arab states and in the U.S., highlighting concerns about escalating tensions and backlash from the Arab populace. The political dynamics surrounding Gaza governance have intensified following the discussions mentioned.

As plans for reconstruction materialize, lawmakers have expressed skepticism regarding any U.S. control over Gaza, as noted by Republican Senator Lindsey Graham, who remarked on the low interest in such an approach. Arab states, alongside the Palestinian Authority (PA), are proposing governance structures in Gaza that exclude Hamas members, indicating a planned political shift in the enclave’s administration post-conflict.

The Egyptian official indicated that Hamas would step aside in favor of a new Palestinian governance plan, which would not include senior PA officials from the West Bank. This proposal aims to establish a police force retaining control from prior PA components left in Gaza post-2007. These developments raise questions about security arrangements, drawing parallels to previous conflicts in Lebanon.

Furthermore, the aftermath of reconstruction efforts in Gaza is estimated to exceed $50 billion, with immediate needs of $20 billion identified for the first three years of rebuilding. The Egyptian strategy seeks to involve Gulf states significantly in reconstruction, ensuring a collaborative effort in stabilizing and rebuilding Gaza. The international community’s involvement will be critical in shaping the future governance and economic revitalization of the region.

The discussions between President Trump and King Abdullah II of Jordan, along with Egypt’s proposed plans, mark a significant shift in the approach to post-war Gaza governance. With emphasis on preventing forced displacement of Palestinians, the likelihood of collaborative Arab involvement in Gaza’s reconstruction is increasing. Additionally, negotiations surrounding the release of captives and political dynamics suggest evolving regional strategies to stabilize Gaza. The critical financial and political frameworks developed from these meetings will shape the humanitarian and governance landscape moving forward.

Original Source: www.middleeasteye.net