The Promise of the Egyptian Plan for Gaza: How Cairo Can Make Peace—and Once Again Lead the Arab World

Introduction

Egypt has positioned itself as a pivotal diplomatic force in the Middle East with its ambitious $53 billion Gaza reconstruction plan, formally adopted by Arab leaders at an emergency Arab League Summit in Cairo on March 4, 2025.

This bold initiative not only counters U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to depopulate Gaza and transform it into a tourist destination but also represents Egypt’s most assertive diplomatic maneuver in years. By crafting a comprehensive vision for Gaza’s future that addresses Palestinian sovereignty, regional security concerns, and post-war governance, Egypt has reclaimed its historical role as a leader in Arab diplomacy and positioned itself as an essential mediator in resolving one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.

Egypt’s Strategic Vision for Gaza

Egypt’s plan, branded as “Gaza 2030,” presents a comprehensive five-year reconstruction and social rehabilitation initiative designed to rebuild Gaza without displacing its 2.3 million Palestinian residents. This direct counter to Trump’s “Middle Eastern riviera” proposal has galvanized unprecedented Arab unity, with leaders from across the region endorsing the Egyptian initiative at the Cairo Summit.

President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi emphasized the plan’s focus on maintaining Palestinian presence in Gaza, stating, “We welcome any proposals or ideas from the international community to ensure the success of this plan, which needs to be implemented side by side with a greater plan for peace”.

The proposal carefully balances immediate humanitarian needs with long-term political considerations. Its first phase would last approximately six months, focusing on clearing more than 50 million tonnes of debris from Israeli military operations and removing unexploded ordnance.

This would be followed by an ambitious four-and-a-half-year reconstruction phase aimed at transforming Gaza into a sustainable urban environment with renewable energy, parks, and modern infrastructure.

Governance and Security Components

Central to Egypt’s plan is a governance arrangement that addresses Israel’s security concerns while preserving Palestinian self-determination.

The proposal calls for a “Gaza administration committee” comprised of qualified technocrats and non-partisan members operating under the umbrella of the Palestinian Authority for an interim six-month period.

This committee would oversee humanitarian aid distribution and manage Gaza’s affairs until the Palestinian Authority can reestablish governance.

President el-Sisi described this approach at the summit: “Egypt has worked in cooperation with Palestinians on creating an administrative committee of independent, professional Palestinian technocrats entrusted with the governance of Gaza”.

Notably, the plan excludes Hamas from this governance structure while avoiding a complete political vacuum that might lead to further instability.

For security provisions, the Egyptian plan proposes that Egypt and Jordan would train Palestinian police forces for deployment to secure the territory.

Some versions of the plan suggest a potential role for UN peacekeepers, though this remains one of the more contentious elements that Israel would likely reject.

Egypt’s Diplomatic Resurgence

The Gaza plan represents Egypt’s most significant diplomatic initiative in years and signals its determination to reclaim regional leadership. By convening the Arab League emergency summit and securing unanimous support for its proposal, Egypt has demonstrated an ability to unite Arab states around a common vision—something increasingly rare in a fractured region.

The summit’s success marks a diplomatic triumph for el-Sisi, who positioned Egypt as both a pragmatic problem-solver and a defender of Palestinian rights. Notable attendees included the emir of Qatar, the vice president of the UAE, Saudi Arabia’s foreign minister, and UN Secretary-General Antonios Guterres.

This broad participation underscores Egypt’s diplomatic reach and the seriousness with which the plan is being considered internationally.

Reclaiming Historical Leadership

Egypt’s initiative harks back to its historical role as the Arab world’s diplomatic center. As Egyptian Professor Khaled Fahmy noted, the emergency summit and Gaza plan reflect Cairo’s attempt to reassert its traditional leadership position in regional affairs. By taking ownership of the Gaza issue, Egypt is reclaiming territory it lost diplomatically to smaller but wealthier Gulf states in recent years.

The plan also represents a return to Egypt’s historical commitment to the Palestinian cause. “We are builders. Egyptians are builders from the pyramids until now,” remarked Abdel-Moneim Said Aly, head of the advisory board of the Regional Center for Security Studies in Cairo. “We need to have a plan of our own, not waiting for Mr. Trump to do it”.

Challenges and Criticisms

Despite its promise, Egypt’s Gaza plan faces substantial obstacles. Israel has already voiced opposition, with the Israeli Foreign Ministry criticizing the plan for failing to address the October 7, 2023, attack by Hamas and accusing it of remaining “rooted in outdated perspective”.

Security provisions remain the most problematic aspect. The plan suggests that UN-led peacekeeping forces could be deployed in Gaza and the West Bank during a transition period but doesn’t comprehensively address Hamas’s future, suggesting only that the issue must be decided through a peace process. Both propositions are unlikely to satisfy Israeli security demands.

Additionally, the plan’s implementation depends entirely on Israel’s cooperation—something that appears doubtful under the current Netanyahu government. As the Daily Sabah noted, “Unfortunately, Israel missed a historic opportunity by not accepting this plan, which was prepared and presented by Egypt and unanimously accepted by the Arab League”.

Potential for Regional Peace and Stability

Despite these challenges, Egypt’s plan offers a realistic pathway to peace that previous initiatives have lacked. By combining practical governance solutions, economic development, and security arrangements, it addresses the core issues that have perpetuated the conflict.

The plan explicitly connects Gaza’s reconstruction with the broader two-state solution framework.

According to el-Sisi, the proposed project “aims for a comprehensive and just settlement of the Palestinian issue, ends the root causes of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict, guarantees the security and stability of the peoples of the region, and establishes the Palestinian State”.

Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas welcomed the Egyptian initiative at the summit, stating, “The Arab Palestinian Egyptian plan for the reconstruction of Gaza in presence of our people on their Homeland should be endorsed by this Summit and made total support by the International Community”.

Even Hamas has expressed support for the plan, likely due to its commitment to eventual elections that could potentially restore political participation for the group.

Economic Vision and International Support

The $53 billion reconstruction budget represents a serious economic commitment. While funding sources remain unclear, the proposal envisions international donors contributing to a dedicated fund, with Egyptian companies executing the work on the ground.

This arrangement would give Egypt significant economic influence in post-war Gaza while generating jobs and contracts for Egyptian firms.

A reconstruction conference scheduled for April 2025 in Egypt will likely address funding questions. Egypt’s ability to secure financial commitments from Gulf states and international donors will be crucial to the plan’s viability.

Conclusion

Egypt’s Path to Regional Leadership

Egypt’s Gaza plan represents its most ambitious attempt in decades to reclaim leadership in Arab affairs and position itself as an indispensable mediator in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. By presenting a detailed, pragmatic alternative to Trump’s controversial proposal, Egypt has demonstrated both diplomatic creativity and moral leadership.

For the plan to succeed, Egypt must address several critical challenges. First, it must convince the United States to pressure Israel to accept at least some elements of the proposal.

While the Trump administration initially appeared skeptical, US special envoy Steve Witkoff later described the plan as “a good faith first step from the Egyptians,” suggesting potential openness to aspects of the Egyptian approach.

Second, Egypt must strengthen the security provisions of its plan to address Israeli concerns while maintaining Palestinian dignity and sovereignty. This delicate balancing act will require sustained diplomatic effort and potential revisions to the current framework.

Finally, Egypt must secure concrete financial commitments from international donors. The $53 billion price tag is substantial, and without clear funding mechanisms, the plan will remain aspirational rather than actionable.

If Egypt can navigate these challenges successfully, its Gaza initiative could mark a historic turning point—not just for Gaza’s reconstruction but for Egypt’s regional standing. By championing a vision that balances pragmatism with principle, Cairo has an opportunity to once again lead the Arab world toward a more stable and peaceful future.