On Tuesday, March 4, leaders from several Arab countries gathered in Cairo to discuss the future of Gaza and to present an alternative proposal to the controversial plan of the President of the United States for the occupation and forced displacement of the region’s inhabitants. According to the Arab League, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi and Bahraini King Hamad bin Isa Al Khalifa will be the keynote speakers at the opening ceremony of the summit. This meeting comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu once again expressed support for U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to relocate Gaza’s residents, calling it visionary and innovative.
This summit should be considered the culmination of a series of diplomatic initiatives that began with the signing of a joint statement on February 4 by five Arab countries—Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Jordan, and Egypt—rejecting any attempts to violate the inalienable rights of Palestinians. It was followed by the February 22 meeting of seven Arab countries—Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Kuwait, and Bahrain—in Riyadh, which aimed to present an alternative plan for the future of Gaza. Now, it is hoped that following the March 4 Arab League summit in Cairo, the Arab world will reach a broadly supported and desirable plan regarding Gaza.
The Gaza Arab plan is particularly significant given the current circumstances in which Gaza is plunged into destruction and suffering, the Israeli army continues its extensive attacks across the region with unconditional U.S. support, the possibility of confrontation between Israel and Iran has increased, and countries such as Egypt and Jordan, which rely on cooperation with the U.S. and Israel for their stability, are under immense pressure from the U.S. to accept Trump’s plan and resettle Gaza’s residents in their territories, making them highly vulnerable to potential cuts in economic and military aid.
Under such conditions, the success or failure of this plan could have profound implications for the future political and security arrangements of the region. If Arab countries can adopt a stance independent of U.S. and Israeli pressures, a new space for diplomatic negotiations will emerge, which would benefit the Palestinians. Conversely, failure of this plan could strengthen the position of the U.S.-Israel axis in imposing its conditions and further diminish the pivotal role of Arab countries in the future of Palestine.
Three aspects play a crucial role in the success of this plan and must be carefully considered. The first aspect is possessing the theoretical and practical capability to rebuild Gaza without displacing its residents. This plan must go beyond mere opposition to the U.S.-Israeli plan for forced displacement and ethnic cleansing in Gaza. It should include a comprehensive program for providing essential infrastructure, rebuilding residential areas, and reviving the local economy. Additionally, cooperation with international institutions and influential countries could help secure financial and political support for this plan.
The second aspect is centering collective Arab action, which, in addition to enabling Gaza’s reconstruction, should focus on protecting Palestinians. This plan must also allow for closer coordination and alliance-building with other countries that sympathize with the Palestinian cause on a global scale. To achieve this goal, a joint diplomatic mechanism must be established between Arab countries and other international supporters of Palestine. Furthermore, strengthening cooperation with human rights organizations and international institutions could increase pressure on Israel and lead to broader support for Palestinian rights.
Finally, the third and perhaps most critical aspect is the necessity for Saudi Arabia to take a dynamic and active stance by simultaneously rejecting Trump’s plan and assuming the leadership of the Arab response. Today, Saudi Arabia, with its energy resources, financial power, unique position in the Islamic world, and strategic influence, holds the most significant political and economic leverage among Arab countries. If Saudi Arabia assumes a leadership role, it can leverage its influence in international institutions and its extensive global relationships to garner greater support for the Palestinians.
According to the latest reports, it appears that the Arab League, by approving Egypt’s plan, has successfully presented an alternative to Trump’s proposal for the future of Gaza. Just hours before the final approval of Egypt’s plan, the draft final communiqué of the March 4 emergency summit of Arab League leaders indicated that the member states of this union had declared their support for Egypt’s plan to rebuild the Gaza Strip. The communiqué called on the international community and financial institutions to back Egypt’s plan. In this statement, Arab leaders called for elections in all Palestinian territories within one year, provided that the necessary conditions were met.
With the approval of Egypt’s proposed plan, a temporary government will replace Hamas in Gaza and will be responsible for distributing humanitarian aid and initiating the reconstruction of the region. According to this plan, and in stark contrast to U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan, Palestinian residents of the Gaza Strip will remain in the region. This interim government will be formed with the support of the United Nations and in cooperation with regional countries to ensure stability and security in Gaza. Additionally, programs for job creation and the development of essential infrastructure have been proposed to improve the living conditions of Palestinians. The cost of rebuilding Gaza under this plan is estimated at approximately $53 billion.
This collective and coordinated initiative to present an alternative plan in response to Trump’s colonial plan to transform Gaza into the “Middle Eastern Riviera” by Arab countries that are predominantly U.S. allies in the region is undoubtedly unprecedented in modern Middle Eastern history. This move represents a turning point in Arab diplomatic engagement and demonstrates a shift in the traditionally conservative approach of regional leaders toward the Palestinian issue.
This rare unity also indicates a shift in the regional balance of power, which could influence future geopolitical dynamics. Unlike in the past, when many Arab countries adopted a passive policy regarding foreign-imposed plans, signs of strategic independence are now emerging in their positions. This transformation could strengthen cohesion among Arab countries, enhance their role in determining the region’s destiny, redefine their relationships with global powers, and create a space for more independent policymaking in international affairs.
