• Arab leaders endorse Egypt's $53 billion plan to rebuild Gaza, rejecting Trump's proposal for depopulation.
• The plan aims to preserve the rights of Palestinians, focusing on reconstruction by 2030.
• Hamas is required to release hostages for a ceasefire extension amid ongoing tensions.
• The plan includes establishing a temporary administration to pave the way for a reformed Palestinian Authority.

In a significant development, Arab leaders convened in Cairo on Tuesday to endorse a counterproposal to U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial plan, which suggested depopulating the Gaza Strip and transforming it into a beach destination. The new initiative, spearheaded by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi, emphasizes that the approximately 2 million Palestinians should be allowed to remain in their homeland, marking a decisive rejection of the Trump administration's suggestions. The summit included key figures such as the emir of Qatar, the vice president of the United Arab Emirates, and the foreign minister of Saudi Arabia, all of whom play pivotal roles in any potential postwar reconciliation efforts. U.N. Secretary-General António Guterres also attended the meeting.

As tensions continue, Israel has accepted what it describes as an alternative U.S. proposal regarding the ceasefire and the release of hostages taken during the Hamas attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023. Israel has halted supplies, including food and medical aid, to Gaza as leverage against Hamas to accept the new proposal, heightening fears of escalating violence. This suspension has been widely criticized by human rights organizations who argue that it violates Israel’s obligations as an occupying power under international law. The endorsed Egyptian plan mandates that Hamas must release half of its remaining hostages in exchange for an extension of the ceasefire and negotiations for a lasting truce, though it notably excludes the discussion of more releases of Palestinian prisoners, a critical factor in initial negotiations.

The detailed Egyptian plan, which entails a $53 billion investment, aims for a comprehensive rebuild of Gaza by 2030 without displacing its current population. Initial efforts will focus on removing unexploded ordnance and clearing more than 50 million tons of debris resulting from Israeli bombings and military operations. The plan includes temporary housing solutions while reconstruction is underway and envisions a long-term transformation into "sustainable, green, and walkable" living spaces with renewable energy infrastructures.

Further, the proposal outlines the establishment of an international trust fund overseen by the World Bank to facilitate financial aid for Gaza’s reconstruction. Key features include the reconstruction of agricultural lands, establishment of industrial zones, and the development of large green spaces. The return of an airport and commercial port has also been highlighted as essential components of this revamped approach, echoing proposals put forth in the Oslo Accords of the 1990s.

In a bid to stabilize governance, the plan proposes that Hamas yield authority to an interim administration composed of independent political figures, pending the reformation of the Palestinian Authority. Despite these efforts, Israel has ruled out any involvement by the Palestinian Authority in Gaza's governance, insisting instead on disarmament of Hamas, which refuses to recognize Israel’s legitimacy.

The endorsement of this new initiative articulates a clear call for a "permanent and just solution" for the Palestinian cause, as detailed in the summit's final communiqué. This document also highlighted the need for international peacekeeping forces in Gaza and the occupied West Bank. However, the inclusion of such forces was later withdrawn from the draft, overshadowing the complexities of the proposal's acceptance. Meanwhile, Trump’s preceding comments about resettling Gaza's Palestinians in third countries have sparked outrage, with Jordan and Egypt firmly rejecting any such plans. Recent events have already seen Jordan receiving children from Gaza for medical treatment, marking a commendable humanitarian effort amid the ongoing conflict.

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