Arab leaders back Egypt’s $53bn plan to rebuild Gaza

Arab countries have rejected US President Donald Trump’s plan to occupy Gaza and expel Palestinians and support Egypt’s alternative plan.

Leaders from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Jordan, Syria and other Arab countries attended Tuesday’s extraordinary meeting in Cairo. The purpose of the meeting was to take a joint Arab stance against the US plan, in which the reconstruction of Gaza and the establishment of an independent Palestinian state were discussed.

Egypt announced a proposed $53 billion five-year plan that includes building millions of homes, commercial ports and airports in Gaza, and elections in the Palestinian territories and efforts for a two-state solution.

At the end of the meeting, Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abul Gheit said that the Egyptian project has now become a joint Arab project.

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi said the plan would allow Palestinians to remain on their soil, and that an administrative committee would be formed to oversee Gaza’s administration and humanitarian aid.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas calls Gaza administration fully Palestinian authority