In light of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, Egypt has drafted a new governance plan that would exclude Hamas, the de facto governing authority in Gaza, once hostilities cease. The plan includes the establishment of an independent, technocratic Palestinian committee that would rule the enclave for an interim period of six months under the auspices of the Palestinian Authority (PA). Importantly, the members of this committee would not have affiliations with any existing Palestinian factions, signaling a significant shift in the political landscape of Gaza.
This proposal is set to be discussed at an emergency summit of Arab leaders in Cairo, and it is intended to be presented to U.S. President Donald Trump in the forthcoming weeks. The move to establish a new governance framework in Gaza has been viewed as a direct response to Trump’s earlier proposals, which controversially suggested taking control of Gaza, displacing its residents, and transforming it into a Middle Eastern resort destination dubbed a “riviera.”
The draft plan, branded “Gaza 2030” with an Egyptian presidential logo, emphasizes the need for transitional governance while maintaining a commitment to the two-state solution aimed at resolving the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. Included in the proposal is a detailed economic and development strategy with an estimated reconstruction cost of $53 billion—$3 billion earmarked for initial rubble removal and temporary housing, with $20 billion allocated for basic infrastructure over the first two years. Furthermore, the plan aims to attract international tourism and investment by developing shopping malls, an international convention center, and even an airport within five years.
The document also suggests that Egypt and Jordan would provide training for new Palestinian police forces to ensure security in the region, a proactive step that recognizes the challenges of disarming militant factions within Gaza. The potential deployment of international peacekeepers by the United Nations is another critical aspect aimed at stabilizing both Gaza and the Israeli-occupied West Bank.
However, the reaction from Hamas, the militant group that has controlled Gaza since 2007, has been stern. Senior officials have declared that their arms are a non-negotiable aspect of resistance, setting a clear contradiction with the proposed disarmament conditions laid out in the plan. Osama Hamdan, a senior Hamas official, reinforced that while they are willing to negotiate their governance role, they categorically oppose any external influence from regional or international parties.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has expressed skepticism regarding the governance of Gaza post-conflict, indicating that he supports Trump’s plan for a redefined Gaza but has yet to clarify his vision for the territory’s future governance. In recent statements, Trump has suggested he remains open to negotiations regarding the implementation of his plans, stating: “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.”
As tensions persist and humanitarian aid struggles to reach those in need, the coming weeks will be critical in determining whether this ambitious plan can gain traction among Palestinian factions, international stakeholders, and amidst the complex geopolitical dynamics at play in the region.