Egypt FM, US envoy discuss Arab plan for Gaza reconstruction

Alsharq Tribune- Ahram 

Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty and US Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff discussed Thursday the Arab plan for early recovery and reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, according to the Egyptian foreign ministry.

In a phone call with Witkoff, Abdelatty outlined the crucial elements of the Arab plan and its main phases, highlighting that it has received unanimous backing from Arab countries at the recent Extraordinary Arab Summit in Cairo.

He also underscored Egypt's commitment to a productive dialogue with President Donald Trump and the US administration to expound the plan and its benefits.

Furthermore, Abdelatty underlined the importance of continuing joint efforts to ensure that all parties implement all the phases of the ceasefire agreement in Gaza.  

He stressed that Israel must permit humanitarian aid to enter Gaza to allow the process of recovery and reconstruction to begin and put an end to the war.

For his part, Witkoff acknowledged the Arab plan's virtues and good intentions and expressed interest in becoming better acquainted with its details soon. The call also addressed the strategic partnership between Egypt and the US.

On Thursday, Witkoff commended Egypt for developing a new plan for Gaza.

"We need more discussion about it, but it's a good-faith first step from the Egyptians," the US envoy said, noting that Trump had succeeded in encouraging other people in the Middle East to present proactive proposals, which the US may consider.

The Arab plan for Gaza reconstruction adopted at the Extraordinary Arab Summit constitutes a unified Arab response to Trump's proposal for the US to seize control of Gaza and consequently deport its population, eventually transforming it into a so-called "Middle East Riviera."

The Cairo summit had firmly rejected all attempts to forcibly displace Palestinians in the Gaza Strip and the West Bank. The participants in the summit had also condemned Israel's continued rejection of peaceful solutions and called for an international conference to recognize Palestinian statehood.