Arab leaders meet to discuss alternative to Trump’s Gaza plan

Arab leaders are meeting in Cairo to discuss a plan for the governance and reconstruction of Gaza to counter the widely condemned displacement proposal presented by US President Donald Trump.

Foreign ministers met in Egypt's capital on Monday before the emergency Arab League summit to discuss the Egyptian plan.

The draft proposal, seen by Middle East Eye, includes a $53bn reconstruction plan for Gaza, aiming to redevelop the enclave without displacing Palestinians.

The plan involves the Palestinian Authority (PA) overseeing the process through a Gaza Administration Committee for the first six months, supporting the PA's full return to Gaza.

Hussein al-Sheikh, secretary of the executive committee of the Palestine Liberation Organisation (PLO), told Middle East Eye on the sidelines of the summit that the immediate priority for both Palestinians and Arabs was to establish a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and end the devastating Israeli war.

"First, a complete Israeli withdrawal is essential to restore stability and security," he said, emphasising that it would allow Palestinians to reassert themselves on their land and begin rebuilding. 

Read more: Arab leaders meet to discuss alternative to Trump’s Gaza plan