The United States Secretary of State, Marco Rubio, has hinted at the potential for an alternative to the contentious Trump plan regarding Gaza's reconstruction. This development comes as Arab states, particularly the United Arab Emirates (UAE) and Qatar, prepare to present financial proposals aimed at rebuilding Gaza. The alternative plan, spearheaded by Egypt in partnership with the World Bank, proposes a significant shift by formally excluding Hamas from governance and control over the territory's reconstruction.
Arab nations are rallying around this new initiative as 65% of Gaza's property stands devastated. The plan envisions transforming Hamas's tunnels into a metro network, a proposal that has raised eyebrows for its ambitiousness. Reconstruction efforts under this plan are expected to span three to five years. The committee overseeing the Arab plan would consist of independent technocrats and representatives from civil society and unions, leaving the future military status of Hamas within Gaza unresolved.
An impending Arab summit in Riyadh on February 27 will serve as a platform for further deliberations on the alternative plan. The Palestinian Authority (PA) has yet to endorse the committee's proposal, expressing concerns over potential long-term divisions between the West Bank and Gaza. This hesitance underscores the complexity of regional politics, which have been fraught with challenges over the past century.
“We have to engage with it and if possible divert people away from it.” – An Arab diplomat
Moderate Arab diplomats have criticized the Trump plan, arguing that it is neither practical nor morally justifiable. The Arab world has resisted this approach for a century, maintaining a stance that seeks to protect regional stability and Palestinian welfare. Saudi Arabia, while not explicitly calling for Hamas's exclusion from reconstruction processes, remains cautious in its diplomatic engagements.
Despite skepticism over some aspects of the plan, such as converting tunnels into metro networks, regional players are determined to explore this alternative pathway.
“A lot of it sounds far-fetched, such as converting Hamas tunnels into a metro network. The idea came out of the blue.” – A second Arab source
Marco Rubio emphasized that any solution retaining Hamas's presence in Gaza would pose significant challenges.
“Any plan that leaves Hamas in the Gaza Strip will be a problem, because Israel will not tolerate that,” – Marco Rubio
The involvement of Egypt and the World Bank signals a coordinated effort to channel international resources effectively. Ahmed Aboul Gheit highlighted the importance of prioritizing Palestinian needs over political movements.
“The interests of the Palestinian people must come before the interests of the movement [Hamas], especially in light of the calls to displace Palestinians from Gaza, and the resulting war that destroyed the Gaza Strip and tore apart its human and social fabric as a result of its decisions.” – Ahmed Aboul Gheit