Egypt's Gaza reconstruction plan ready, to be presented on March 4: FM
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Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty says the alternative reconstruction plan will not be solely Egyptian or Arab but will secure international support and funding to ensure its effective implementation.
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Trucks carrying humanitarian aid line up on the Egyptian side of the Rafah border crossing with the Gaza Strip, on March 2, 2025, after "Israel" suspended the entry of supplies into the Palestinian enclave (AFP)
Egypt’s Gaza reconstruction plan, designed to ensure Palestinians remain on their land, is complete and will be presented at the emergency Arab summit on March 4, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced on Sunday.
Arab states, which swiftly rejected US President Donald Trump's proposal for Washington to assume control of Gaza and displace Palestinians in neighboring countries, are now working to coordinate a diplomatic strategy to counter the plan.
Trump’s "takeover" scheme, unveiled on February 4 amid a fragile ceasefire between "Israel" and Hamas, has sparked outrage among Palestinians and Arab nations.
According to Abdelatty, Egypt’s alternative reconstruction plan will not be solely Egyptian or Arab but will secure international support and funding to ensure its effective implementation.
"We will hold intensive talks with major donor countries once the plan is adopted at the upcoming Arab Summit," he stated during a press conference with European Union Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica.
The top Egyptian diplomat emphasized the critical role of Europe, particularly in the economic aspects of rebuilding the war-ravaged enclave.
Addressing the second phase of the ceasefire deal, Abdelatty affirmed Egypt’s continued efforts to uphold the ceasefire and facilitate negotiations for the next phase.
He underscored the importance of safely implementing the ceasefire agreement reached in January, stressing Egypt’s commitment to ensuring its proper execution.
"The first phase has concluded successfully, and now we must shift to discussions on the second phase, which is key to sustaining the ceasefire," he indicated.
"Naturally, it will be difficult, but with goodwill and political determination, it can be achieved," he pointed out.
Abdelatty also urged the European Union to exert "maximum pressure on the parties, especially the Israeli party, regarding commitment to the ceasefire agreement."
Earlier on Sunday, "Israel" said it was suspending the entry of supplies into Gaza.
"Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu decided that, from this morning, all entry of goods and supplies into the Gaza Strip will be suspended," his office said in a statement.
"If Hamas persists with its refusal, there will be other consequences," it added.
Hamas condemned the Israeli decision, stating that the "decision to suspend humanitarian aid is cheap blackmail, a war crime and a blatant coup against the (ceasefire) agreement."
Gaza's Civil Defense agency, meanwhile, reported "artillery shelling and gunfire from Israeli tanks" east of Khan Yunis city, in the southern Gaza Strip.
The Palestine Red Crescent said one person was killed in an Israeli drone strike in the area, and one more was killed in another town nearby.
The Health Ministry in the Palestinian enclave later reported at least four killed and six wounded in Israeli attacks on Sunday.
As the 42-day first phase of the ceasefire drew to a close, "Israel" unilaterally backed an extension proposed by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, which would cover the Muslim holy month of Ramadan and the Jewish holiday of Passover.
Hamas, however, has repeatedly rejected extending the first phase, instead insisting on moving directly to the second stage.
This would involve the release of all remaining captives and a more permanent end to the war on Gaza.
The Egyptian Foreign Minister also announced that following the emergency Arab summit, an urgent ministerial meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will be held in Saudi Arabia, where foreign ministers will work to promote the summit’s outcomes on a global scale.
"We will ensure that the results of the Arab summit are presented to the world in the best possible way," he affirmed.
Read more: Gulf Arab states condition Gaza reconstruction on removing Hamas: WSJ
