Arab foreign ministers convened on March 3, 2025, in Cairo for preparatory discussions leading to the extraordinary Arab League summit scheduled for March 4. This summit aims to finalize plans for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, devastated by recent conflicts, without displacing its Palestinian residents. The necessity of this meeting is underscored by the counter-proposal to U.S. President Donald Trump's controversial vision for Gaza, which includes relocating these residents.
Egypt has taken the lead in formulating this reconstruction plan, which is expected to be presented to the Arab leaders during the summit. The Egyptian initiative seeks to not only rebuild Gaza but also to replace the current Hamas-led government with interim governance structures operated by Arab, Muslim, and Western nations. This approach is highlighted as it seeks to sidestep Hamas, which has been central to the management of the territory.
One significant aspect of this Egyptian reconstruction plan is its aim to initiate operations without prior displacements, countering Trump's plan to turn Gaza, dubbed the “Riviera of the Middle East,” by displacing its current population to Egypt and Jordan. Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty stated just days before, "We will train the Palestinian Police forces to be deployed as part of the reconstruction plan,” reinforcing Egypt's commitment to aligning with the Palestinian Authority on governance issues.
On March 4, leaders from across the Arab world are expected to express their stance against Trump's proposal of American control over Gaza, which has been met with fierce opposition from various factions. For example, Palestinian leaders alongside Arab sympathizers outright rejected any efforts to expel Gazans from their homeland. Trump’s remarks over the past months have only intensified this sentiment: he's been quoted saying, "It's time to give the residents of Gaza a real choice. It's time to give them the freedom to leave," which has raised eyebrows across the Middle East.
The summit’s atmosphere is expected to reflect deep divisions across the region even as there's shared concern over the humanitarian crisis at hand and the astronomical costs associated with rebuilding Gaza—estimated at over $53 billion.
Aside from Egypt's role, the summit is also shaped by Jordan's long history as the destination for displaced Palestinians. Since 1948, there are over 2.2 million registered Palestinian refugees living within its borders, encasing Jordan's reluctance to take on more individuals as this would compound the existing demographic and social pressures. Throughout this summit, discussions will likely touch on how to address the displacement fears posed by Trump's approach.
Recent conflicts, initiated by the October 7, 2023, assaults on Israel by Hamas, have triggered significant loss and destruction within Gaza, emphasizing the urgency for substantial international backing for reconstruction and the need for security measures upon the cessation of hostilities.
The Egyptian plan, according to sources, does not clearly delineate how it would handle post-war governance or how funding challenges would be approached. This lack of specificity raises questions about the feasibility and acceptance of the proposed alternative governance model.
At the same time, internal dynamics including the response from other Arab nations also play pivotal roles. Saudi Arabia and the UAE are among key players whose reactions may influence the overarching Arab position taken at this summit as they have varying interests and positions surrounding Palestinian issues.
Cairo's efforts are being monitored as potential resolutions may lead to unprecedented outcomes if delegates can unite on key issues. It's clear the outcome is of great import not just regionally but globally, as diplomatic relations between the U.S., Israel, and Gulf nations will surely be affected.
There has also been significant discourse among social media users speculating the reasons behind Algerian President Abdelmadjid Tebboune's absence from the summit. While officially stated as due to “preparatory discrepancies,” many are questioning whether his absence signifies broader divisions or disagreements over approaches to achieving solidarity on Palestinian issues.
With emotional stakes high on all sides, the eyes of the world are now closely watching as Arab leaders convene, hoping for solutions to emerge amid this complex geopolitical chess game. The leaders’ ability to forge unity and establish a clear pathway could determine the future of Gaza and its inhabitants.