Saudi Arabia is leading an“Urgent effort” by Arab countries to develop a plan for Gaza’s future, Reuters reported, citing at least 10 sources. Agence france-presse disclosed that the country will be 20 this month, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and the United Arab Emirates leaders held a summit in Riyadh, Palestinian president Abas will also attend. At least four alternatives to a US“Takeover” of Gaza have been drawn up, sources said. Deutsche Welle quoted analysts as saying that Arab countries could put pressure on the US through“United Front”. The Arab push came as Secretary of State Rubio arrived in Israel last night for his first trip to the Middle East since taking office. Agence France-presse believes that he will be the U. S. Plan for Gaza“Stand”. The New York Times said it did not know if he would provide more details during his visit.
Egypt ‘most favored’
“Our meeting with [ Saudi crown prince and Prime Minister ] Mohammed bin Salman is critical. He is taking the lead,” Reuters quoted a Jordanian official as saying. Saudi Arabia is trying to demonstrate its importance in resolving the Israeli-palestinian conflict, stressing its support for Egypt and Jordan, AFP quoted Mu’tari, a scholar at King’s University, as saying.
On the future of Gaza, Rubio said last week that now“The only plan is Donald Trump’s plan, so if they [ the Arab states ] have a better plan, it’s time to put it forward”. Jordanian Foreign Minister Safadi Lianhe Zaobao at the Munich Security Conference on Friday that Arab countries are working on a plan, reconstruction of Gaza without displacement. He said Jordan could not accept more Palestinians. “With 35 per cent of our population as refugees, we can not afford any more…”
Horn (center) , who has Israeli and Argentinean multiple citizenship, arrived in Tel Aviv Friday after being released by Hamas. (visual China)
At least four alternative plans have been drawn up, with the Egyptian Lianhe Zaobao the most promising, the Financial Times said, citing Reuters. Three Egyptian security sources said the country had proposed the creation of a Palestinian National Council to govern Gaza, but Hamas was not involved. Egypt also recommended that the international community participate in the reconstruction of Gaza without the forced transfer of Palestinians. Delegates will meet in Saudi Arabia to discuss the plan and plan to present it at a summit in Cairo, Egypt, on Feb. 27, Reuters reported.
According to another“German voice” 15 reported that the Arab States proposed Gaza Reconstruction program may also include: by the Arab States to train Gaza security forces; Settlement of displaced Palestinians in agricultural and other areas within Gaza until reconstruction is completed; Egypt organizes donor conferences.
Sources told Reuters there was“Nothing very new” in the Egyptian alternative, but they believed it would be enough to change Donald Trump’s mind. Agence france-presse quoted Kareem, an expert at Britain’s University of Birmingham, as saying the goal of the Arab meeting was to“Build a unified position and then unite other Arab countries.”.
Jordan’s“Tomorrow” newspaper said on the 15th that the plans of Arab states for the future of Gaza reflect their concern for peace and stability in the region, and that their opposition to the U.S. plan and their cooperation in this regard show that, in the future, the development of the situation in the Middle East will depend more on the joint efforts of regional countries.
Foreign media list Arab countries’ “Pressure methods”
Since the United States put forward the“Takeover” of Gaza plan, the Arab media there have been many critical voices. Egypt“Izvestia” 15 comments that the U. S. Plan ignored the sovereignty of Arab countries and the will of the Palestinians, is a“Outrageous” behavior.
“Do the Arab states have the leverage to put pressure on the United States?” Deutsche Welle lists some of the measures the Arab states“Could consider.” Including the reduction of U. S. Intelligence Cooperation, restrictions on U. S. military use of the Suez Canal, reduce the Gulf countries on the U. S. investment in the region’s financial support. But experts say Arab countries are unlikely to use these tools to stop the United States. “No Arab country wants to stand up to Donald Trump right away,” said Aboudou, an expert on the Middle East and North Africa at Chatham House.
The King of Jordan’s CNN Abdullah II of Jordan Trip to Washington last week clearly demonstrated the scale of the challenge facing America’s Arab allies over the next four years, CNN commented. At the time, Donald Trump seemed in no mood to soften his approach to Gaza, and the Abdullah II of Jordan of embarrassment and unease was evident when he spoke about it at a press conference. Asked if he agreed with the President’s proposal to resettle the Palestinians, the Abdullah II of Jordan switched gears.
“Deutsche Welle” quoted katulis, a senior fellow at the Middle East Institute in Washington, as saying that an alternative means of pressure available to Arab countries is“Growing solidarity”, oppose the U. S. Plan for Gaza and promote a two-state solution. AB said the current Egyptian strategy was to create a“Unified Arab front” that would seek to engage with establishment figures in the state and defence departments and congress“To try to put pressure on Donald Trump”. Arab states want to show that this is an issue that affects the region, not just Egypt and Jordan, and are seeking European support.
US supplies heavy bombs to Israel
Rubio held talks with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu in Jerusalem Sunday, AFP reported. The New York Times commented before the talks began that, “Rubio’s visit has had less public reaction in Israel because his influence is less clear than that of U.S. Middle East Envoy Whitkoff and other advisers to Donald Trump.”.
After the talks, the Benjamin Netanyahu said they had discussed with Rubio Donald Trump’s“Bold vision” for the future of Gaza, AFP said. He also warned that Israel would“Open the gates of Hell” in Gaza unless Hamas released all the hostages. “Hamas can not continue to exist as a military or government force,” the BBC quoted Rubio as saying.
Rubio will also travel to Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates. Agence France-presse said Rubio is expected to 17 in Riyadh for“Difficult talks.”.
The New York Times said Rubio would certainly be asked to be more specific about the U.S. Gaza plan while in the Middle East, and it was unclear whether he would provide details. Agence France-presse believes Rubio will stand for the US“Takeover” of Gaza. The BBC quoted him yesterday as saying Donald Trump’s proposal could be“Shocking” but it would take“Courage” to come up with an alternative to the“Old ideas” of the past.
The U.S. “Washington Post” said the U.S. plan“Faces an important test.” The talks between Rubio and Middle Eastern leaders will explore whether the latter’s position is consistent with Donald Trump’s“Twin goals” of ending the Gaza conflict and securing an Israeli-saudi peace deal.
Rubio’s visit came as the Israeli Defence Ministry announced on the 16th that a shipment of us-made heavy bombs had arrived. CNN said former President Biden had restricted the delivery of the 2,000-pound bombs to Israel. The head of the media office in the Gaza Strip criticized the decision, saying the United States, which calls itself a“Human rights pioneer,” has not provided food, medicine, water or shelter or building materials to the victims in Gaza, instead, it is supporting the“Occupying forces” by carrying heavy bombs.