IRIA News

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Prominent leaders of the Arab world convened in Riyadh on February 21, 2025, to devise a strategy for the post-war reconstruction of Gaza, aiming to counter U.S. President Trump’s controversial proposal for the United States to “take over” the Palestinian territory and forcibly relocate its residents.

The meeting, attended by leaders from Arab states, including Saudi Arabia, United Arab Emirates, Qatar, Egypt, Jordan, and other nations, underscored a rare moment of unity among Arab nations in rejecting Trump’s plan. However, disagreements remain over governance and funding.

A photo from the meeting showed Saudi Arabia’s Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman alongside key regional figures, including Jordan’s King Abdullah II, Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi, Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani, UAE President Sheikh Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, Kuwaiti Emir Sheikh Meshal al-Ahmad Al Sabah, and Bahrain Crown Prince Salman bin Hamad Al Khalifa.

Arab leaders did not share specific figures on rebuilding, but the World Bank, EU, and UN estimate that restoring essential services would take three years, while full reconstruction could take 10 years, costing over $50 billion, with $15 billion needed for housing alone.

Talks end without a joint statement

Sources from the Saudi government confirmed that the meeting had concluded on a positive note however, no final statement or joint communique was released and the topics of discussion were kept confidential due to the sensitive nature of the talks.

“The discussion was confidential,” the source said, emphasizing the private nature of the talks. The official Saudi Press Agency (SPA) described the gathering as a “fraternal consultative” meeting, focusing on “various regional and international issues, especially joint efforts in support of the Palestinian cause, and developments in the situation in the Gaza Strip.”

Egyptian President Abdel Fattah El Sisi’s office later confirmed his departure from Riyadh after the high-level discussions, which centered on the future of Gaza and its reconstruction.

Rejection of Trump’s plan

Trump’s controversial proposal, which called for the U.S. to take control of Gaza and develop it into the “Riviera of the Middle East” after relocating its more than two million residents to Egypt and Jordan, has been widely condemned across the Arab world. Leaders argue that the plan dismisses decades of efforts toward Palestinian self-determination, violates the rights of Gazans, and risks prolonging regional instability.

During a February 11 meeting in Washington, King Abdullah II of Jordan reiterated his firm opposition to the idea, stating that Egypt was preparing a more viable plan for Gaza’s future. The Riyadh discussions revolved around refining “a version of the Egyptian plan,” according to a Saudi government source.

Trump’s suggestion was later reframed by his aides as a challenge to Middle Eastern leaders to propose a better alternative. “All these countries say how much they care about the Palestinians,” Secretary of State Marco Rubio said. “If the Arab countries have a better plan, then that’s great.”

However, Trump seemed to concede on Friday that his persuasion efforts had failed. “Well, we pay Jordan and Egypt billions of dollars a year. And I was a little surprised they’d say that, but they did,” Trump said. He added, “I’ll tell you, the way to do it is my plan. I think that’s the plan that really works. But I’m not forcing it. I’m just going to sit back and recommend it.”

Egyptian plan for Gaza’s reconstruction

Egyptian media has reported that Cairo was proposing a 10-to-20-year plan to rebuild Gaza with Gulf Arab funding, but the plan is yet to secure the full support of Arab nations.

“We have experience, and we have applied it (before) in Egypt,” Egyptian Prime Minister Mostafa Madbouly said in a news conference. “The capability to rebuild the (Gaza) Strip and executing it in way that will make it better than it was before the destruction – truly three years is an acceptable timeline to do this.”

Although Cairo has yet to publicly release its reconstruction proposal, former Egyptian diplomat Mohamed Hegazy has outlined a phased plan aimed at stabilizing and rebuilding Gaza over a three-to-five-year period.

The plan includes:

• Early Recovery Phase (Six Months): Focused on removing debris and addressing immediate humanitarian needs.
• Infrastructure Restoration Phase: An international conference will be held to establish a detailed rebuilding strategy for Gaza.
• Final Phase: Construction of housing and public services, as well as the initiation of a political process to implement a two-state solution, ultimately leading to Palestinian statehood.

The leaders at the Riyadh meeting hope to refine this framework before the Arab League summit in Cairo on March 4, ensuring a unified stance when presenting their alternative plan to the international community.

Test of Arab unity

The post-war governance of Gaza remains a major point of contention. While Arab leaders agree that Gaza should remain under Palestinian control, questions persist over who would govern the territory, how security would be ensured, and who would finance the reconstruction.

The Riyadh meeting marks a pivotal moment for Arab diplomacy. The unity against Trump’s plan highlights a collective determination to protect Palestinian sovereignty, yet the challenges ahead remain formidable.

A lasting resolution for Gaza requires a balance between humanitarian aid, reconstruction, and long-term political stability. The March 4 Arab League summit will be a crucial test of whether Arab nations can forge a consensus strong enough to influence global decision-making on the future of Gaza.

For now, the Riyadh gathering has set the stage for intensified diplomatic efforts, as Arab leaders seek to craft a sustainable and internationally supported roadmap for Gaza’s reconstruction and governance.