Islamic Nations Back Arab League Proposal for Gaza Reconstruction
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has formally adopted an Arab League-backed proposal to rebuild Gaza under Palestinian Authority (PA) administration, rejecting US President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to relocate Gaza’s residents.
The decision was announced early Saturday following an emergency meeting in Jeddah, just days after the Arab League ratified the plan in Cairo. The proposal, primarily led by Egypt, envisions Gaza’s reconstruction and governance under the PA, marking a direct challenge to Trump’s idea of taking over the region and relocating Palestinians.
Highlights of the OIC Decision
- OIC adopts the Arab League’s plan for Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction
- Calls for broad international backing, including support from the European Union, Russia, China, and Japan
- Rejects Trump’s proposal to relocate Gaza’s residents and turn the region into the “Riviera of the Middle East”
- Plan excludes Hamas’ role in Gaza’s administration, leading to rejection from both the US and Israel
Arab Nations Unite Against Trump’s Proposal
The 57-member OIC, which represents the Muslim world, urged international financial institutions and donor nations to immediately provide support for the plan.
In contrast, Trump’s proposal, which suggested displacing Gaza’s Palestinian population to Egypt or Jordan, has been met with strong regional opposition.
Egypt’s Push for Global Recognition
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty welcomed the OIC’s endorsement and stressed the importance of securing international recognition and funding for the initiative.
“The next step is for the plan to become an international plan through adoption by the European Union and international parties such as Japan, Russia, China, and others,” Abdelatty said.
He also confirmed ongoing diplomatic efforts, including engagement with Washington, despite the US already dismissing the plan.
US and Israel Reject Arab League Plan
The Egyptian proposal has been rejected by both the US and Israel, primarily because it excludes Hamas from Gaza’s administration.
US Position on the Plan
State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce stated that the proposal “does not meet the expectations” of Washington, indicating the Biden administration’s reluctance to support the Arab League’s vision for Gaza’s future.
However, Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff offered a more measured response, describing it as a “good-faith first step” from Egypt, suggesting that diplomatic discussions on Gaza’s future remain ongoing.
Arab Countries Seek Broader International Coalition
Egypt is now pushing for a broader international coalition to back the reconstruction plan, with the goal of securing support beyond the region.
Opposition to Palestinian Displacement
Regional experts emphasize that Arab nations are increasingly uniting against Trump’s proposed displacement of Palestinians.
“This is an attempt to build a broad coalition that refuses the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza,” said Rabha Seif Allam, a senior analyst at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo.
As diplomatic maneuvering continues, the Arab League and the OIC are expected to intensify efforts to garner global endorsement, particularly from major economic and political players like the EU, China, and Russia.
What’s Next?
The OIC’s endorsement signals a strong regional opposition to Trump’s Gaza plan. Moving forward, the focus will be on securing international funding and recognition for the Palestinian Authority-led reconstruction of Gaza while countering US and Israeli resistance.
With Gaza’s future at stake, the coming months will determine whether the international community aligns with the Arab League’s vision or supports Trump’s alternative approach.
