The US and Israel have rejected an Arab plan for the post-war reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, which would allow the 2.1 million Palestinians living there to stay in place. The proposal, endorsed by Arab leaders at a summit in Cairo, is an alternative to President Donald Trump’s idea for the US to take over Gaza and permanently resettle its population. The Palestinian Authority and Hamas welcomed the Arab plan, which calls for Gaza to be governed temporarily by a committee of independent experts and for international peacekeepers to be deployed there. But the White House and Israeli foreign ministry said it failed to address realities in Gaza and stood by Trump’s vision. The summit took place amid growing concern that Gaza’s fragile ceasefire deal could collapse after the six-week first phase expired last Saturday. Israel has blocked aid from entering the territory to pressure Hamas to accept a new US proposal for a temporary extension of the truce, during which more hostages held in Gaza would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has insisted the second phase should begin as agreed, leading to an end of the war and a full Israeli troop withdrawal. The $53bn Arab plan for rebuilding Gaza once the war ends involves three phases, with the first phase, lasting six months and costing $3bn, focusing on clearing rubble and unexploded ordnance. The second phase, lasting two years and costing $20bn, would see housing and utilities rebuilt. The third and final phase, lasting another two years and costing $30bn, would focus on infrastructure development, including an airport, two seaports, and an industrial zone.
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