Trump’s rejection of the reconstruction plan for Gaza has sparked controversy as Arab leaders push forward with a $53 billion postwar proposal for the territory. On Tuesday night, the White House confirmed that President Donald Trump opposed the reconstruction plan endorsed by Arab nations.
Trump’s Administration stated that he prefers his vision, which involves removing Palestinian residents and turning Gaza into a US-controlled riviera. Officials claim the current proposal ignores the reality of Gaza’s uninhabitable conditions and widespread destruction.
Egypt introduced a plan that would remove Hamas from power and transition governance to a reformed Palestinian Authority. Unlike Trump’s vision, this plan would allow Gaza’s 2 million Palestinian residents to stay.
Speaking in Cairo, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas pledged to hold general elections in Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem for the first time in two decades. However, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has refused to commit to any future governance plan, saying only that he supports Trump’s vision for a different Gaza.
Arab nations propose rebuilding Gaza by 2030, starting with clearing 50 million tons of rubble and unexploded ordnance. Jordanian officials plan to present the proposal to Trump in the coming weeks, although support from important Gulf nations remains uncertain.
Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates did not attend the summit, and Algeria’s president boycotted it. A leaked document outlines plans for new shopping malls, resorts, an airport, and other infrastructure developments in Gaza.
Hamas rejects any efforts to disarm in exchange for reconstruction aid. Senior official Sami Abu Zuhri said Hamas will never surrender its weapons, calling disarmament a red line. The ongoing ceasefire in Gaza remains fragile, with Israel blocking food, fuel, and medicine to pressure Hamas into accepting a deal.
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi emphasized that true peace requires Palestinian statehood, though Israel remains firmly opposed. If Trump moves forward with his vision of Gaza’s reconstruction plan, it could reshape the region’s political future.
