Egypt has proposed an international UN presence in Gaza and the West Bank to support Palestinian statehood and a lasting ceasefire. This initiative involves peacekeeping forces and aims to secure funding for Gaza’s reconstruction, despite mixed regional responses. Key conditions for the plan’s success include Palestinian leadership and maintaining a ceasefire, amidst ongoing Israeli-Palestinian tensions.
Egypt has put forth a proposal for a United Nations presence in Gaza and the West Bank, advocating for peacekeeping forces to establish a framework for Palestinian statehood and a sustained ceasefire. This initiative was communicated by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty during a meeting in Cairo with foreign diplomats and representatives of international organizations, aimed at discussing the rehabilitation of Gaza’s health sector.
Abdelatty mentioned that the proposal calls for the UN Security Council to deliberate on the formation of an international presence in the territories, which would include peacekeeping or protective forces operating under specific mandates and a well-defined timeline. This intervention is intended to facilitate the establishment of a Palestinian state.
Although the Foreign Minister did not disclose the current status of this proposal’s review, he referred to its mention in the concluding statement of the emergency Arab summit on Palestine, convened in Cairo on March 4. Furthermore, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry affirmed support for an Arab plan aimed at reconstructing Gaza, which has garnered considerable backing on regional and international fronts.
Egypt is reportedly coordinating a reconstruction conference in Cairo to secure the funding necessary to actualize this plan. Abdelatty emphasized that the success of this initiative hinges on several critical conditions: the maintenance of a ceasefire, Palestinian leadership in reconstruction efforts, and the recognition of Gaza as an integral segment of Palestinian territories.
Moreover, he underscored the necessity for the Palestinian Authority to reestablish its governance in Gaza through a neutral committee under the Palestinian government’s oversight. Egypt and Jordan have initiated training for Palestinian police forces in anticipation of their deployment in Gaza.
Developed by Egypt, the reconstruction plan aims to rebuild Gaza over five years with an estimated budget of $53 billion. Despite its intentions, both Israel and the United States have declined to support this plan, endorsing instead a former proposal by ex-President Donald Trump, which suggested relocating Palestinians from Gaza to neighboring nations.
In the meantime, a ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement brokered by Qatar and Egypt with US support began on January 19, 2025, and its first phase concluded on March 1. The expected second phase has been stalled by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who seeks further releases of Israeli prisoners without fulfilling commitments related to military operations and withdrawal from Gaza, conditions that Hamas is adamant upon honoring.
In summary, Egypt’s proposal for a UN-backed presence in Gaza and the West Bank seeks to promote Palestinian statehood and a durable ceasefire. The initiative, supported by an Arab reconstruction plan for Gaza, is contingent upon key conditions including the establishment of a Palestinian leadership and a continued ceasefire. However, both international and regional dynamics, including opposition from Israel and the US, present challenges to its realization. Training for Palestinian police by Egypt and Jordan signifies steps towards restoring governance in Gaza amid ongoing tensions.
Original Source: www.palestinechronicle.com
