Key Takeaways:

• Egypt announces a reconstruction plan for Gaza designed to keep its Palestinian population intact.
• The plan aims to create "secure areas" within Gaza for residents during the rebuilding process.
• Trump's controversial proposal suggests displacing Gaza's population to make way for U.S. redevelopment.
• International support and funding for Egypt's plan are being sought from Arab nations and European partners.

CAIRO — Egypt is actively developing a comprehensive plan to rebuild Gaza while ensuring that Palestinians can remain in the territory, a move aimed at countering U.S. President Trump’s controversial proposal to depopulate the enclave. According to LA Times, Egypt’s state-run Al-Ahram newspaper reported that the Egyptian plan involves establishing “secure areas” within Gaza for residents while Egyptian and international construction firms undertake necessary rehabilitation of the region’s damaged infrastructure.

The reconstruction proposal comes in response to Trump’s ardent calls for taking over Gaza, where he suggested the U.S. could transform the area into a vacation destination reminiscent of the "Riviera of the Middle East." This plan has sparked outrage as it entails the permanent displacement of over two million Palestinians, a notion denounced by rights groups as ethnic cleansing. Despite Trump's pressure on regional leaders like Egypt and Jordan to accept Gaza's residents, both nations have firmly rejected such proposals, according to Al Jazeera.

At a time of escalating humanitarian need, an assessment by the United Nations and the World Bank estimates that Gaza will require over $53 billion for reconstruction, following significant devastation from a prolonged conflict with Israel. The total reconstruction need consists of $29.9 billion earmarked for rebuilding infrastructure and housing, alongside $19.1 billion to address severe social and economic damages that have crippled essential services in health and education.

In developing its plan, Egypt is collaborating with European diplomats and seeking the financial support of Arab partners, including Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the UAE. Plans are in motion to hold an international conference to explore funding avenues for Gaza’s reconstruction, as mentioned in the discussions between officials detailed in Africa News.

The initiative also reflects broader regional dynamics, as prominent leaders including Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu have expressed their commitment to Trump's framework, which poses challenges for Palestinian governance in Gaza. Netanyahu's administration has made it clear that it does not envision a role for Hamas or the Palestinian Authority in any future governance structure for Gaza.

As discussions evolve, Egypt is focused on establishing the groundwork for a Palestinian administration that is neither aligned with Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority. This ambition indicates a push for a new governance framework that could help facilitate reconstruction efforts while mitigating the humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing conflict.

As the world awaits more updates on this evolving situation, the proposed Egyptian plan certainly brings a potential lifeline to the prospects of rebuilding Gaza without the displacement of its people, positioning itself as a counterbalance to Trump’s divisive agenda.