Arab leaders approve plan for Gaza while Trump threatens Palestinians

Arab leaders approved on Tuesday (4) a Gaza Reconstruction Plan worth $ 53 billion, rejecting US President Donald Trump’s proposal to expel Palestinians from the territory and turn it into a tourist destination, a riviera in the Middle East.

The decision was made in an emergency summit held in Cairo, with the participation of representatives of Egypt, Qatar, United Arab Emirates and Saudi Arabia, as well as UN Secretary General António Guterres.

The plan foresees the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip in three phases by 2030, ensuring that the Palestinian population remains in the territory and that governance temporarily moves to a Tecnocrat Committee before the transition to the Palestinian authority.

The Arab proposal seeks to offer a diplomatic and structured solution to the devastation caused by war and occurs in a moment of tension climbing, after statements by Trump directly threatening the Palestinians.

In a publication on the Truth Social Network, the US President stated that if Israeli hostages held by Hamas are not released, the inhabitants of Gaza would be “killed” and pay a “hell” for the decision.

The ultimatum occurs when the United States maintains direct negotiations with Hamas to continue the ceasefire, breaking with Washington’s traditional policy of not dialogue with the Palestinian group. In response, Hamas said the threats make negotiations difficult and reinforce the Israeli position to prevent the implementation of the second phase of ceasefire.

The approved Arab plan provides for three reconstruction steps. The first phase, lasting six months, foresees the removal of unscrewed wreckage and explosives. Gaza is estimated to have more than 50 million tons of rubble accumulated after Israeli bombing. The second stage, which will extend for several years, will be focused on the reconstruction of essential infrastructure, including housing, schools and hospitals.

The third phase provides for the creation of a commercial port, an airport and industrial areas, with the prospect of completion by 2030. The plan also proposes an interim technocrats committee to temporarily manage Gaza, preparing the transition to the Palestinian authority.

The main question not resolved in the Arabic plan concerns the safety and role of Hamas. The proposal avoids detailing what the Palestinian group’s disarmament would be, a requirement of Israel and the United States.

Although some Arab countries defend the dissolution of the Hamas military wing, there is no established mechanism for it. Netanyahu has already stated that it will not allow the return of the Palestinian authority to control Gaza and insists that the territory continues under Israeli security.

Egypt and its allies want to involve the UN and European powers in the mediation process, but the lack of consensus on Hamas disarmament can weaken negotiations.

The position of the White House has become one of the main factors of instability in the diplomatic scenario. The recent change in US stance, by negotiating directly with Hamas for the release of American hostages, contrasts with Trump’s aggressive rhetoric, which, in addition to threatening the Palestinians, promised to provide Israel “anything necessary” to end the conflict.

The Israeli government, in turn, hardened its position by blocking the entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, breaking up terms of ceasefire and increasing the fears of a new collapse of negotiations.

The humanitarian crisis in the Gaza Strip is worse with the use of hunger as a weapon of war. The UN and several European countries denounced the Israeli decision to suspend the entry of food and medicines in the Palestinian territory, increasing the risk of humanitarian catastrophe.

The truce agreement, mediated by Qatar, Egypt and the United States, provided that negotiations for the second phase of ceasefire should have been started more than a month ago. However, Israel insists on existing the first step, requiring the complete demilitarization of Gaza and the liberation of all hostages before any discussion about a permanent ceasefire.

Hamas, on the other hand, claims compliance with the second phase of the agreement, which provides for a definitive ceasefire and the total removal of Israeli troops from Palestinian territory.

Given the impasse, the next step will be an international conference organized by Egypt and the UN to raise funds for the reconstruction of Gaza. The financing, however, is not yet guaranteed.

Gulf’s rich monarchies, such as Saudi Arabia and United Arab Emirates, show hesitation to invest billions of dollars without guarantee that the region will not be destroyed again in a new conflict. Egypt suggested that the European Union also participate in the financing of the reconstruction, but there are no concrete commitments yet.

While Arab countries try to find a diplomatic solution for Gaza, Trump bets on the speech of strength and intimidation. The future of the territory will depend on the advance of international negotiations or the radicalization of Israeli policy, driven by the unconditional support of the White House. Without consensus on security, governance and demilitarization, the Palestinian population follows between Israel’s humanitarian blockade and the threats of a US -led military escalation.