Reuters: Egypt is presenting its alternative to Trump's 'Gaza Riviera' today - Here's what we know so far

As Egypt prepares to unveil a bold plan for Gaza at the Arab League summit in Cairo today, details of the draft proposal reveal a strategy to marginalize Hamas and establish interim governance under the supervision of Arab, Muslim, and Western states. The Egyptian initiative emerges as a direct counter to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial "Gaza Riviera" vision, which proposed clearing the enclave of its Palestinian population—a move that has drawn sharp criticism across the Arab world.

The draft, obtained exclusively by Reuters, outlines the creation of a civilian-led "Governance Assistance Mission" to replace Hamas in managing Gaza. This body, dubbed the "Social Support Committee" in earlier leaks, would oversee humanitarian aid distribution and kickstart reconstruction efforts in the war-ravaged territory for an indefinite period. A key condition of the plan states: "There will be no major international funding for the rehabilitation and reconstruction of Gaza if Hamas remains the dominant and armed political element on the ground controlling local governance."

The Qatari Al-Arabi channel published the main points of the draft Egyptian plan for the rehabilitation of Gaza, which will be presented today at the Arab summit in Cairo:

The Egyptian proposal stops short of detailing how Hamas, which has ruled Gaza since 2007, would be sidelined or disarmed. It also leaves unresolved who would ultimately finance the estimated $53 billion reconstruction bill, though Gulf states like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and the United Arab Emirates are seen as potential contributors—provided Hamas is removed from power.

A Regional Security Framework

Security in Gaza would fall to an "International Stabilization Force," composed primarily of troops from Arab nations, tasked with replacing Hamas’s military role. In parallel, Egypt plans to train a new Palestinian security force on its soil, building on prior efforts to bolster local capacity. Both the governance and security bodies would operate under a steering board featuring representatives from key Arab states, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation, the United States, Britain, and the European Union.

The plan explicitly rejects Trump’s suggestion of mass Palestinian displacement from Gaza, a stance echoed by Egypt, Jordan, and other Arab states who view such a move as a regional security threat. "President Trump has been clear that Hamas cannot continue to govern Gaza," said White House National Security Council spokesman Brian Hughes. "While the President stands by his bold vision for a post-war Gaza, he welcomes input from our Arab partners in the region."

Diplomatic Push Amid Uncertainty

Egypt’s proposal comes after nearly a month of frantic diplomacy with Jordan and Gulf states to counter Trump’s plan, which appeared to abandon the U.S.’s long-standing support for a two-state solution. While Egypt’s framework is considered the frontrunner among competing ideas, Reuters could not confirm whether Arab leaders will endorse it at the summit. The draft’s silence on critical questions—such as the role of the Palestinian Authority (PA), future elections, or a timeline for implementation—may complicate its reception.

Hamas has dismissed the Egyptian initiative. "The day after in Gaza must only be decided by the Palestinians," said senior Hamas official Sami Abu Zuhri. "Hamas rejects any attempt to impose projects or any form of non-Palestinian administration, or the presence of any foreign forces on the land of the Gaza Strip."

A Palestinian official, speaking anonymously, told Reuters that Gaza should fall under the PA’s jurisdiction, as in Judea and Samaria. "We agreed with the Egyptians on a committee made of Palestinian experts that will help the Palestinian Authority in running the Gaza Strip for six months," the official said, emphasizing coordination with the PA rather than foreign entities.

Reconstruction Challenges

The financial burden of rebuilding Gaza remains a glaring omission in the draft. The United Nations estimates the cost at over $53 billion, with Gulf states potentially footing at least $20 billion in the initial phase. However, countries like the UAE, which views Hamas as an existential threat, are unlikely to commit funds until the group is fully sidelined. Egypt’s plan envisions a steering board-led fund and donor conferences to support long-term reconstruction, but no specific pledges have been outlined.

Israel’s stance, critical to any plan’s success, remains unclear. Egypt’s foreign ministry and the office of Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Broader Implications

The Egyptian proposal does not address whether it would take effect before or after a permanent peace deal, nor how it would navigate the fragile ceasefire that began on January 19, 2025, and expired last Saturday without progress on its next phase. It also calls for a "Civil Society Advisory Board" of academics and NGO leaders to support the interim governance—a nod to grassroots input amid the top-down approach.

As Arab leaders converge in Cairo, Egypt’s plan represents a high-stakes bid to reclaim regional influence over Gaza’s future, challenging both Hamas’s grip and Trump’s radical reimagining of the enclave. Whether it can bridge the gap between Palestinian aspirations, Arab ambitions, and international demands remains to be seen.