Egyptian Initiative to Convince Washington on Gaza Reconstruction Plan

13th March 2025

3 minutes read

Egyptian Initiative to Convince Washington on Gaza Reconstruction Plan

An Egyptian expert confirms that the Egyptian embassy in Washington is actively engaged in discussions regarding the Gaza reconstruction plan, which does not involve the displacement of its residents, including outreach to members of Congress.

Egypt is making significant efforts to convince U.S. policymakers of the importance of its plan to rebuild Gaza without forcibly displacing its inhabitants. This initiative has not received support from the administration of U.S. President Donald Trump, who remains adamant about relocating the population of Gaza.

Mohamed Makhlouf, an expert in Egyptian national security affairs, stated that “the Egyptian embassy in Washington is undertaking dynamic actions related to the Gaza reconstruction plan.”

He explained that “the plan’s key components have been shared with members of the U.S. Congress and American think tanks to transform it into an international initiative, following its endorsement by several Arab and Islamic nations.”

He also revealed that “the planned reconstruction conference is set to take place at the end of April, with ongoing coordination to finalize the exact date.” He added that “Egypt is currently coordinating and preparing to train between 5,000 and 8,000 Palestinian police officers on its territory and in Jordan, as part of post-reconstruction arrangements.”

It is believed that the Egyptian embassy’s efforts in the United States to persuade key American institutions of the importance of its initiative will face strong opposition from Zionist and Israeli lobbies that support the displacement of Gaza’s population.

On February 4, Donald Trump sparked widespread controversy when he suggested that the U.S. take control of Gaza and transform it into the “Riviera of the Middle East” after relocating its 2.4 million residents to other areas, particularly in Egypt and Jordan, without any plans for their return.

The U.S. president threatened to “unleash hell” on Palestinians and Hamas if they did not immediately release all hostages.

In response, Arab leaders adopted an Egyptian plan at the Cairo summit last Tuesday for the reconstruction of Gaza, ensuring the return of the Palestinian Authority to the territory and the withdrawal of Hamas from its governance.

Egyptian Minister of Irrigation Hani Sewilam previously stated that Egypt possesses the capability to reconstruct Gaza with maximum efficiency and in record time. He emphasized that Egypt could rebuild housing units, essential infrastructure, schools, and hospitals while ensuring a fully integrated infrastructure restoration for Gaza—without requiring any forced displacement of the Palestinian population.

These Egyptian efforts within American circles are met with Israeli insistence on continuing the war in Gaza and avoiding progress towards the second phase of negotiations.

In January, a ceasefire agreement was reached in Gaza, including a prisoner exchange between Palestinian factions and Israel. The agreement consists of three phases, each lasting 42 days, with the first serving as a foundation for negotiations leading to the second and third phases, mediated by Egypt and Qatar with U.S. support.

For decades, Israel has occupied territories in Palestine, Syria, and Lebanon, refusing to withdraw and recognize an independent Palestinian state with East Jerusalem as its capital, based on pre-1967 war borders.