OIC Ministers Discuss Arab Proposal for Rebuilding Gaza Without Displacement

Diplomats from the 57-member Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) gathered in Jeddah on March 7, 2025, for an Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers. This meeting followed the Arab League's endorsement of Egypt's proposal to rebuild the Gaza Strip under the future administration of the Palestinian Authority.

The Arab proposal differs significantly from the Trump plan. Unlike the Trump plan, which suggested displacing Gaza's 2.4 million inhabitants, the Arab proposal aims to rebuild Gaza without displacing its residents. This is a crucial distinction, as the Trump plan faced widespread criticism for its potential to exacerbate the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza.

The OIC formally adopted the Arab proposal at the Jeddah meeting. The Islamic bloc also urged the international community and funding institutions to provide swift support for the reconstruction efforts.

The Egyptian Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty, welcomed the OIC endorsement and expressed hope for wider international support, including from the US. He stated that the next step is for the plan to be adopted by the European Union and other international parties.

The four European governments involved in the Middle East peace process welcomed the plan's proposal for Gaza to return to the control of the West Bank-based Palestinian Authority after nearly two decades of Hamas rule. They emphasized the need for Hamas to neither govern Gaza nor pose a threat to Israel.

However, the Egyptian proposal has faced criticism from both Israel and the United States. The US State Department spokeswoman, Tammy Bruce, stated that the proposal does not meet Washington's expectations. Trump's Middle East envoy, Steve Witkoff, offered a more positive reaction, calling the plan a "good-faith first step from the Egyptians.