Riyadh: Arab leaders are set to meet in Saudi Arabia on Friday to craft a unified response to Trump’s Gaza ‘Riviera’ plan. The U.S. president’s proposal suggests removing Palestinians from Gaza and transforming it into a luxury destination—dubbed the “Middle Eastern Riviera.”
The emergency summit will include Egypt, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, the UAE, and other Gulf nations. A broader Arab League summit is scheduled for March 4, followed by a meeting of Islamic countries.
Egypt’s Alternative Plan for Gaza
Egypt has proposed a 10-to-20-year reconstruction plan funded by Gulf nations. According to Egyptian state media, this plan aims to:
- Exclude Hamas from governing Gaza
- Ensure Palestinians remain in the enclave
- Rebuild Gaza’s infrastructure
However, the plan lacks full Arab support, with disagreements over governance. Meanwhile, Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly claims Egypt can rebuild Gaza in just three years, but international organizations disagree.
The Cost and Complexity of Rebuilding Gaza
A joint report by the World Bank, EU, and UN estimates that:
- Basic services (health, education, rubble removal) could take three years
- Full reconstruction will require over $50 billion and at least 10 years
- Housing alone could cost $15 billion
Despite these projections, Egyptian real estate firms are positioning themselves for major contracts in the rebuilding process.
Trump’s Plan and Israeli Support
Trump has not yet commented on Egypt’s plan. Meanwhile, Israel has endorsed his proposal and recently announced a new government unit to facilitate the voluntary departure of Gazans.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has offered to govern Gaza after the war, but Israel’s Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes this.
Uncertain Future for Gaza’s Leadership
There is no clear agreement on who should govern Gaza after the conflict.
- The UAE is open to a role in Gaza under a reformed Palestinian Authority but rejects Trump’s displacement plan
- Qatar insists Palestinians should decide their future
- Hamas remains defiant, warning against any external interference
A potential international donor conference for Gaza could be held in April, but funding and governance issues remain unresolved.
What’s Next?
Arab nations are racing to finalize a counterproposal before presenting it to the international community. The outcome of Friday’s summit could determine the future of Gaza and the region’s stance on U.S. and Israeli plans.
