Yesterday, Saudi Arabia announced that Riyadh will host an informal fraternal meeting today.
Convened by Crown Prince and Prime Minister Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al-Saud.
The meeting will bring together leaders from the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) countries, Jordan, and Egypt.
Riyadh Meeting Today Discusses Alternatives to Trump’s Plan for Gaza
An official source stated that this meeting is part of the periodic friendly discussions held over the years between the leaders of these nations.
The source emphasized that the gathering underscores the strong fraternal ties between the leaders.
As it aims to enhance cooperation and coordination among the participating countries.
Additionally, the source noted that discussions on joint Arab initiatives will be included on the agenda of the upcoming extraordinary Arab summit in Egypt.
According to AFP, Arab leaders will meet in Saudi Arabia to deliberate on an alternative to Trump’s proposal concerning Gaza’s governance and population displacement.
What is Trump Plan for Gaza ?
The controversial proposal suggested placing Gaza under U.S. control and relocating its 2.4 million residents to Egypt and Jordan.
It was met with widespread condemnation.
The summit seeks to unify Arab states in determining who should govern Gaza and how to finance its reconstruction.
Umer Karim, a Saudi foreign policy expert, described the summit as one of the most consequential in decades for both the broader Arab world and the Palestinian issue.
During February 11 meeting in Washington, Jordan’s King Abdullah II indicated that Egypt would propose a roadmap for Gaza’s future.
The plan is expected to focus on rebuilding the war-torn region.
Which Trump cited as a rationale for his displacement proposal.
What is Egypt Plan for Gaza Reconstruction ?
The United Nations recently estimated that Gaza’s reconstruction will require over $53 billion.
With more than $20 billion needed in the first three years alone.
Cairo hasn’t yet announced its proposal.
But Egyptian diplomat Mohamed Hegazy outlined a potential three-phase reconstruction plan, estimated to span three to five years:
- Early Recovery (First Six Months)
- Deployment of heavy machinery to clear debris
- Establishment of safe zones for temporarily relocating displaced residents
- Reconstruction and Infrastructure Development
- Hosting an international conference to detail the reconstruction framework
- Restoration of essential utilities, including electricity, water, and transportation networks
- Urban Planning and Long-Term Governance
- Construction of housing, schools, and healthcare facilities
- Initiation of a political process aimed at implementing a two-state solution and securing a lasting truce
Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed affirmed the UAE’s firm position rejecting any attempts aimed at displacing the Palestinian people from their land, stressing the need for the Gaza reconstruction process to be linked to a path leading to comprehensive and lasting peace based on the… pic.twitter.com/GQHHjcdh1x
— UAE Voice (@uae_voiceeng) February 20, 2025
Proposed Governance for Post-War Gaza
Cairo initiative seeks to establish a neutral Palestinian administration unaffiliated with any political faction.
According to Hegazy, this government would be comprised of technical experts.
And it will be politically and legally subordinate to the Palestinian Authority (PA).
Security in Gaza would be managed by a PA-affiliated police force.
With the support of security contingents from Egypt, Arab nations, and international partners.
Hegazy suggested that Hamas will gradually withdraw from the political scene.
While Saudi Arabia envisions a Gaza under Palestinian Authority control.
This meeting in Riyadh signals a critical moment for regional diplomacy.
As Arab states are working to chart a new course for Gaza and bolster joint Arab action in the face of significant geopolitical challenges.
