Arab leaders are set to meet tomorrow, Friday, February 21, 2025, in Saudi Arabia to discuss countering US President Donald Trump’s plan for United States control of the besieged and bombarded Gaza Strip and the expulsion of its people.
According to Saudi state news agency, Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman has invited the leaders of Gulf Arab countries, Egypt and Jordan for the meeting in the capital, Riyadh.
The news agency added that the meeting will be unofficial and held within “the framework of the close brotherly relations that bring together the leaders.”
Trump triggered global outrage when he proposed that the US would “take over the Gaza Strip” and that its 2.4 million people be relocated to neighbouring Egypt and Jordan.
Trump’s plan has united Arab states in opposition, but disagreements remain over who should govern the enclave and how to fund its reconstruction.
The news agency disclosed, “As for joint Arab action and the decisions issued regarding it, it will be on the agenda of the upcoming emergency Arab summit that will be held in the sisterly Arab Republic of Egypt,” referring to plans for an emergency summit on March 4, 2025 to discuss Israel and Palestine.
Umer Karim, an expert on Saudi foreign policy, called the summit the “most consequential” in decades for the wider Arab world and the Palestinian issue.
Rebuilding Gaza will be a key issue, after Trump cited reconstruction needs as justification for relocating its population.
Cairo has yet to announce its initiative, but Egyptian former diplomat, Mohamed Hegazy outlined a plan “in three technical phases over a period of three to five years.”
Hegazy, a member of the Egyptian Council for Foreign Affairs, a think tank with strong ties to decision-making circles in Cairo, disclosed that the first phase, lasting six months, would focus on “early recovery.”
“Heavy machinery will be brought in to remove debris, while designated safe zones will be identified within Gaza to temporarily relocate residents.”
Mohamed Hegazy
He noted that the second phase would require an international conference to provide details of reconstruction and would focus on rebuilding utility infrastructure.
He added that the final phase will oversee the urban planning of Gaza, the construction of housing units and the provision of educational and healthcare services.
The last phase, said Hegazy, would include “launching a political track to implement the two-state solution and so that there is … an incentive for a sustainable truce.”
The United Nations has estimated that rebuilding would cost more than $53bn, including more than $20bn in the first three years.
Ex-Diplomat Says Arab Leaders Can Form ‘Unified Front’ Against Trump’s Gaza Plan
Gamal Bayoumi, a former Egyptian diplomat, told a news agency that Arab leaders responded with “a big ‘no’ to Mr Trump’s plan” [to take over Gaza and expel Palestinians from their land]. “He’s using a language one can’t deal with,” he added.
He stressed that although there are many problems across the Arab region, “I believe we can form a unified front [against any farfetched US-Israeli proposals].”
“Egypt has an excellent relationship with the US. We depend on this and hope we can reach a solution with President Trump. I’m hoping it won’t be too difficult to convince Mr. Trump to change his mind on the Palestine question.”
Gamal Bayoumi
He also “confessed” that Egypt has long been critical of Hamas, adding that “they are an illegal force and they seized power [in Gaza].”
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