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The United States and Israel have dismissed a reconstruction proposal for the Gaza Strip, endorsed by Arab leaders at a summit in Cairo, which would allow the 2.1 million Palestinians living in the enclave to remain in place.
The Arab plan was presented as an alternative to former President Donald Trump’s vision, which suggested that the U.S. take control of Gaza and permanently resettle its population.
The Arab proposal received support from both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. It calls for Gaza to be temporarily governed by a committee of independent experts, backed by the deployment of international peacekeepers to stabilize the region.
However, the White House and Israel’s foreign ministry swiftly rejected the plan, arguing that it failed to address the complex realities on the ground. Both parties reiterated their commitment to Trump’s vision for the territory’s future.
The Cairo summit was held amid mounting concerns that the fragile ceasefire in Gaza could collapse following the expiration of its six-week first phase last Saturday.
Israel has since blocked humanitarian aid from entering the besieged territory, pressuring Hamas to accept a new U.S. proposal for a temporary extension of the truce.
The proposed extension would facilitate the release of additional hostages held by Hamas in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas, however, has insisted on adhering to the original terms of the ceasefire agreement, which include a complete Israeli troop withdrawal and a formal end to the war.
The militant group’s stance has been backed by several Arab states, further complicating efforts to secure a prolonged truce.
Arab leaders at the Cairo summit emphasized that their reconstruction plan was designed to prevent a further escalation of the humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
“We must act now to ensure the people of Gaza can rebuild their lives without the constant threat of renewed violence,” said a senior Arab diplomat involved in the talks.
Meanwhile, Israeli officials criticized the Arab plan as unrealistic, asserting that any resolution for Gaza must include guarantees that Hamas would be disarmed and that Israeli security concerns would be adequately addressed.
The White House echoed these sentiments, with a spokesperson stating that the Arab proposal “fails to address the root causes of the conflict.”
The impasse has heightened fears that the situation in Gaza could deteriorate rapidly if no agreement is reached soon. Analysts warn that without a viable plan for reconstruction and governance, the risk of renewed hostilities remains alarmingly high.
As diplomatic efforts continue, the people of Gaza face an uncertain future, with humanitarian conditions worsening due to the ongoing blockade and limited access to essential supplies.
The international community has urged all parties to prioritize the well-being of civilians and work towards a sustainable resolution to the conflict.