Arab leaders convened in Saudi Arabia on Friday to develop a comprehensive recovery strategy for Gaza, a response to President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal for U.S. control over the territory, which includes relocating its more than two million residents to Egypt and Jordan. Trump’s plan has sparked widespread denunciation across the Arab world, uniting previously divergent leaders in their opposition, although underlying tensions regarding governance and funding for reconstruction efforts remain.
Experts, such as Andreas Krieg from King’s College London, highlight the urgency of the situation, noting that the U.S. under Trump could potentially create new, irreversible realities in the context of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Gaza Strip, devastated by over 15 months of conflict between Israel and Hamas, is in dire need of a reconstruction plan; the United Nations has recently estimated that rebuilding the region would cost upwards of $53 billion.
A source close to the Saudi government informed that the meeting’s agenda would involve formulating a plan to counter the U.S. proposal, with focus on an Egyptian plan for recovery. During a previous encounter with Trump, Jordan’s King Abdullah II mentioned that Egypt would put forth a systematic approach for moving forward.
The Saudi Press Agency confirmed that representatives from Egypt and Jordan would be attending the summit, alongside delegates from the six Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) nations. Additionally, preparations for an emergency Arab League summit, scheduled for early March in Egypt, were noted.
Ahead of the summit, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi arrived in Saudi Arabia, with confirmations from the Qatari emir’s office regarding Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al-Thani’s attendance. The Palestinian Authority is also expected to join the discussions.
The reconstruction of Gaza, emphasized by Trump’s justification for relocating its population, hinges on a detailed and phased plan outlined by former Egyptian diplomat Mohamed Hegazy. His proposal envisions a three-phase process over three to five years, beginning with an initial six-month phase focused on emergency recovery and debris clearance. Following this, an international conference would be needed to establish a detailed reconstruction framework and improve utilities infrastructure. The final phase would involve urban planning, housing reconstruction, and the establishment of services, all while aiming to create a political pathway toward a two-state solution.
However, navigating financing for the ambitious Egyptian plan poses significant challenges. The Saudi source indicated there is a need for consensus among Arab leaders, stressing the importance of achieving a common vision and the capacity to implement it effectively. Analysts view this summit as a pivotal opportunity for Saudi Arabia to unite not only the GCC nations but also Egypt and Jordan in a coordinated response to address the implications of Trump’s proposals.
