Riyadh, Saudi Arabia – In response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to evacuate and take control of the Gaza Strip, Arab leaders convened in Riyadh to devise an alternative plan centered on reconstruction without displacement.
Hosted by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman, the meeting brought together leaders from Egypt, Jordan, Qatar, the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, and Bahrain. Egypt introduced a three-phase proposal focused on recovery and rebuilding efforts, estimating a reconstruction cost of $53 billion, with Gulf nations expected to contribute.
A key discussion point was Gaza’s governance during reconstruction, with consensus emerging to exclude Hamas and reinstate the Palestinian Authority’s control over the region.
The leaders plan to finalize a joint strategy at a summit in Cairo in March, reaffirming their commitment to a two-state solution and firmly opposing any forced displacement of Gaza’s residents.
