In Cairo, Arab leaders are planning to push back against U.S. President Donald Trump’s idea to depopulate the Gaza Strip and turn it into a tourist destination, as they gather for a summit hosted by Egyptian President Abdel-Fattah el-Sissi. The meeting, which will include Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates, comes at a moment when the continuation of the Israel-Hamas ceasefire is uncertain.

Israel has welcomed an alternative U.S. proposal focusing on the ceasefire extension and the release of hostages captured during Hamas’ attack on October 7, 2023. However, the suspension of aid to Gaza has drawn criticism for violating international law regarding Israel’s obligations as an occupying power.

Egypt has proposed a plan that involves relocating Palestinians to safe zones inside Gaza with mobile homes until the cities can be rebuilt. Under this plan, Hamas would cede power to an interim government of political independents. Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, who opposes Hamas, is attending the summit. Israel and the U.S., however, have ruled out a role for the Palestinian Authority in Gaza and called for Hamas to disarm.

Trump had suggested resettling Gaza’s roughly 2 million Palestinians to other countries and developing the territory into a “Middle Eastern Riviera,” a proposal rejected by Palestinians, Arab countries, and human rights experts as likely violating international law.

Meanwhile, Jordan is taking in around 30 Gazan children for medical treatment, with more set to follow, despite the country’s rejection of plans for large-scale refugee intake. The conflict has seen over 48,000 Palestinians killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, and displaced the majority of the population within the strip.

Source: https://time.com/7264171/arab-leaders-trump-gaza-plan-counterproposal/