Cairo: “The Hill” newspaper recently published an editorial by Minister of Foreign Affairs, Emigration and Egyptian Expatriates Badr Abdelatty, titled “Egypt’s plan for the reconstruction of Gaza.” The piece outlines Egypt’s multi-phase plan to rebuild Gaza, which has faced severe humanitarian crises over the past 16 months.

According to State Information Service Egypt, Abdelatty highlighted the dire circumstances in Gaza, where nearly 2 million people have been displaced, and over 150,000 have been killed or injured, as reported by the UN. The editorial emphasizes that half of the hospitals, 88% of schools, 68% of agricultural areas, and roads have been severely damaged or destroyed.

Abdelatty proposed two essential steps to address the crisis: an immediate humanitarian plan to alleviate Palestinian suffering and a political roadmap to resolve the Palestinian-Israeli conflict. Egypt’s reconstruction plan, endorsed by 22 Arab states, spans from 2025 to 2030 and includes three phases.

The initial phase, lasting six months, focuses on urgent relief through temporary housing and rubble clearance. The subsequent phases concentrate on building permanent housing, rehabilitating roads, and developing ports, an airport, solar power plants, and essential facilities. These efforts align with the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals.

Abdelatty emphasized Egypt’s logistical role in the reconstruction process due to its proximity to Gaza and its experience from previous reconstruction cycles. He stated that the plan aims to keep Palestinians in their homeland, countering any notion of displacement.

The editorial also calls for a collective international effort, involving multiple U.S. firms and other global entities, to tackle the immense reconstruction challenge. Egypt plans to host an international conference, in cooperation with the United Nations and the Palestinian government, to secure funding for the $53 billion plan.

Additionally, a new Palestinian committee, composed of non-factional technocrats, will administer Gaza during a transitional period, with Egypt training Palestinian police officers to restore security.

While addressing immediate needs, Abdelatty stressed the importance of a political solution leading to the establishment of an independent Palestinian state, ultimately aiming for peace between Palestinians and Israelis.