Muslim Nations Adopt Arab Alternative:
JEDDAH, Saudi Arabia – The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has officially adopted an Arab League counterproposal to US President Donald Trump’s controversial Gaza plan.
In an emergency meeting held in Jeddah on March 8, the 57-member body urged the global community to back the alternative initiative aimed at rebuilding Gaza under the governance of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
The OIC’s resolution follows the Arab League’s ratification of the proposal at a summit in Cairo three days prior. The Egyptian-crafted alternative dismisses Trump’s approach, which suggested a US takeover of the region and the forced displacement of Palestinians to Egypt or Jordan.
Rebuilding Gaza: The Arab Counterproposal Gains Momentum
The OIC’s statement emphasized the necessity of early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, calling for immediate international and regional financial support. The move highlights unified opposition among Muslim nations to Trump’s widely criticized vision, which proposed transforming Gaza into the “Riviera of the Middle East” while resettling its Palestinian inhabitants elsewhere.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty expressed optimism that the endorsement would pave the way for wider global backing. “The next step is for the plan to become an international initiative, with support from the European Union, Japan, Russia, China, and other key players,” Abdelatty stated. He also confirmed ongoing discussions with Washington.
Arab Nations Stand United Against Trump’s Gaza Plan
Trump’s proposal has sparked strong resistance among Arab nations, reinforcing calls for a sustainable and just solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. The Egyptian plan prioritizes reconstruction efforts, aiming to stabilize the region under the Palestinian Authority’s governance, without outlining a role for Hamas, which currently controls Gaza.
Despite strong regional support, the United States and Israel have already rejected the Egyptian-led initiative. US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce stated that the plan “does not meet the expectations” of Washington. However, Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, acknowledged the proposal as a “good-faith first step from the Egyptians.”
Strategic Efforts to Garner Global Support for Gaza Recovery
Political analysts believe Egypt is seeking broad international backing for the plan, particularly from Europe and Asia, to counter Washington’s and Tel Aviv’s opposition. Rabha Seif Allam, an expert at the Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies in Cairo, emphasized the need for a strong coalition against Palestinian displacement.
“This is an attempt to build a broad coalition that rejects forced resettlement,” Allam noted. Arab leaders see Trump’s Gaza plan as a violation of Palestinian sovereignty and an obstacle to a peaceful resolution.
Trump’s Gaza Plan: A Global Backlash
Trump’s proposed takeover of Gaza has been met with international outrage, drawing criticism from human rights organizations, political leaders, and Middle Eastern experts. The plan’s suggestion of forced displacement contradicts international law and has further isolated the United States in the ongoing Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
Many global leaders, including those in the European Union and the United Nations, have voiced their disapproval of any initiative that seeks to remove Palestinians from their homeland. Instead, diplomatic efforts are focusing on rebuilding Gaza through a cooperative international framework.
The Future of Gaza: Will the Arab Plan Prevail?
The OIC’s endorsement of the Arab League’s proposal marks a significant diplomatic push to counter Trump’s Gaza plan. With the backing of key Arab and Muslim nations, the next challenge is securing wider international approval.
Although Washington and Tel Aviv remain skeptical, the initiative is gaining traction among European and Asian powers. Whether the plan will become a globally accepted roadmap for Gaza’s recovery remains to be seen.
