The US administration has dismissed a reconstruction plan for Gaza proposed by Arab leaders, reaffirming President Trump’s commitment to his own vision, which includes expelling Palestinian residents and transforming the territory.
The plan, backed by Egypt and other Arab nations, proposes that Hamas cede power to an interim administration before the Palestinian Authority takes control.
Unlike Trump’s proposal, it allows Gaza’s 2 million residents to remain.
However, Israel has rejected any role for the Palestinian Authority in governing Gaza.
The $53 billion proposal aims to rebuild Gaza by 2030, with an initial phase focusing on removing unexploded ordnance and clearing over 50 million tons of rubble caused by Israel’s military operations.
“The current proposal does not address the reality that Gaza is currently uninhabitable and residents cannot humanely live in a territory covered in debris and unexploded ordnance,”said National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes.
He added, “President Trump stands by his vision to rebuild Gaza free from Hamas. We look forward to further talks to bring peace and prosperity to the region.”
Meanwhile, the fragile ceasefire in Gaza, in place since January, remains uncertain after its first phase expired.
Israel has supported a separate US proposal aimed at extending the cessation of hostilities and securing the release of hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023.
To pressure Hamas into accepting the agreement, Israel has blocked essential supplies, including food, fuel, and medicine, raising fears of renewed conflict.
During the summit where the Arab-backed plan was unveiled, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi emphasized, “There will be no true peace without the establishment of a Palestinian state.”
Israel, however, has vowed to maintain indefinite security control over Gaza and the West Bank, which it has occupied since the 1967 Mideast war.
The ongoing tensions reflect the deep divisions over Gaza’s future, with both the US and Israel prioritizing security measures over immediate reconstruction efforts.
