OIC meet to discuss alternative Gaza plan, reject Trump's scheme

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
7 Mar 2025 16:03

Muslim nations are set to convene in Saudi Arabia to discuss an alternative to Trump's scheme to forcibly displace Palestinians.

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Tents are seen next to the rubble of destroyed homes and buildings in Jabalia, northern Gaza Strip, Friday, March 7, 2025 (AP)

The Muslim world is set to rally behind an Arab alternative to US President Donald Trump's widely criticized proposal to take control of Gaza during an emergency meeting on Friday.

Foreign ministers from the 57-member Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) will convene at its headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, just days after the Arab League endorsed Egypt’s plan for Gaza, emphasizing the urgent need for a ceasefire and a political resolution to the ongoing crisis.

However, the reconstruction plan was rejected by both "Israel" and the United States, with US National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes claiming, "The proposed plan for Gaza's reconstruction overlooks the stark reality of its uninhabitable conditions."

Washington also dismissed the proposal as falling short of expectations, according to State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce. Meanwhile, Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, took a more measured approach, calling it a "good-faith first step from the Egyptians."

A unified Arab stance against Trump's plot

Trump sparked global outrage with his suggestion that the US should "take over" Gaza and transform it into the "Riviera of the Middle East" while forcibly displacing its Palestinian residents to Egypt or Jordan, despite the Arab nations' consistent rejection.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty emphasized that his country, a key mediator in the ceasefire talks, would seek OIC backing to ensure the counter-proposal becomes both an Arab and Islamic initiative.

Analysts say OIC approval would, at the very least, demonstrate a unified stance against Trump's proposal.

"Egypt needs broad support" to form a broad coalition rejecting the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza, said Rabha Seif Allam of the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo.

Trump's scheme has galvanized Arab nations in opposition, with Saudi Arabia previously hosting Arab leaders to discuss alternatives.

The Jeddah meeting will further highlight Islamic unity, according to Umar Karim, an expert on Saudi foreign policy at the University of Birmingham.

"Bigger Muslim countries like Indonesia, Turkey, and Iran will be there and their endorsement will further (strengthen) the Arab plan," he noted.

The Arab League summit also announced the creation of a trust fund for Gaza’s reconstruction and urged international support for the effort.