What do we know about the Israel-Hamas ceasefire deal in Gaza?
Al JazeeraJAN 10
Arab League Considers Gaza Reconstruction Plan
Above: Egyptian President Abdel Fattah al-Sisi (C) welcomes United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres (R) and Arab League Secretary General Ahmed Abu Gayt (L) for the emergency Arab summit in Cairo, Egypt on March 04, 2025. Image copyright: Egyptian Presidency/Handout/Anadolu via Getty Images
The Facts
The Arab League, which is made up of 22 member states, met on Tuesday to discuss a plan put together by Egypt regarding Gaza's post-war reconstruction. The $53B plan proposes rebuilding the strip by 2030 without removing its population.
The plan has been presented as an alternative to US Pres. Donald Trump's controversial plan to displace Gaza's population and build the "Riviera of the Middle East." A leaked draft of the plan called for a transitional technocratic government to take over Gaza alongside international peacekeepers.
The transitional government would be in place for six months and work "under the umbrella of" the Palestinian Authority (PA), which partially administers the West Bank and rivals Hamas. Hamas has said that disarmament, something Israel has called for, is a red line that it will not accept.
The Spin
Narrative A
In contrast to Trump's irresponsible and unfeasible plans to relocate Gaza's population, Egypt's proposal may be a useful framework to move forward regarding the question of Gaza's future. Though the plan leaves out some important points, it ultimately creates a picture of a post-war and post-Hamas Gaza that would not be a serious security threat to Israel.
Pro-Israel narrative
Trump's negotiation tactics are bearing fruit, as the Arab states are now playing a proactive role in how to handle Gaza's post-war future. Still, the question of Hamas' presence in the strip and its weapons can't be avoided, and nothing can happen until the group is eliminated. Indeed, as always, Hamas is the most significant obstacle to peace.
Pro-Palestine narrative
Though a plan for Gaza's post-war future that does not involve the forced displacement of the strip's population is a good step, the Arab states must do more to support Palestinians. Before anything meaningful can happen, the war must end and Israeli forces must withdraw from Gaza completely. Nonetheless, the Arab states must work with Palestinians to build a plan and united front that prevents Israeli and US interference.