Faith Nyasuguta
On Sunday, Egypt’s President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi met with Jordan’s Crown Prince Al Hussein bin Abdullah II in Cairo to further solidify their joint efforts in addressing the future of Gaza. This significant meeting centered around revitalizing Gaza’s reconstruction while preventing the displacement of its Palestinian population.
As both leaders discussed strategies for implementing a ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, they also addressed the exchange of hostages and detainees and the delivery of humanitarian aid to those affected by the conflict.
Al Hussein’s visit comes just days after a meeting between Jordan’s King Abdullah II and U.S. President Donald Trump, where Trump reiterated his controversial plan to forcibly relocate over 2 million Palestinians from Gaza and prevent their return. Trump even suggested using the leverage of U.S. aid to pressure Egypt and Jordan into accepting displaced Palestinians. This proposal, which has sparked outrage among human rights groups, faces fierce opposition from Egypt, Jordan, and many other regional actors.
The tension over the proposed plan has escalated, with Egypt preparing to host an Arab summit on February 27. This summit will be a critical platform for Egypt and Jordan to present a counterproposal aimed at rebuilding Gaza while ensuring the Palestinians can remain on their land. Experts warn that forcibly expelling Palestinians from Gaza would violate international law and exacerbate the ongoing humanitarian crisis.
For Egypt, the stakes are particularly high. Any mass displacement of Palestinians could threaten Egypt’s peace treaty with Israel, which has been in place for nearly 50 years. This treaty remains a cornerstone of U.S. influence in the region, and Egypt’s stability could be undermined by the strain of a large refugee influx. Egypt has made it clear that it will not accept a plan that compromises its security or its diplomatic relations with Israel.
In contrast to Trump’s plan, Egypt and Jordan emphasize the importance of a peaceful, sustainable solution for Gaza that involves Palestinian governance. The broader Arab and Muslim world has aligned itself with this stance, calling for the restoration of Palestinian leadership over Gaza, the West Bank, and East Jerusalem, territories occupied by Israel since the 1967 Six-Day War. However, Israel has steadfastly rejected the idea of a Palestinian state and any role for the Western-backed Palestinian Authority (PA) in Gaza, which has been controlled by Hamas since 2007.
The counterproposal being pushed by Egypt and Jordan has garnered significant support from Arab and Muslim countries. The goal is to ensure that Gaza’s rebuilding respects Palestinian rights, upholds regional stability, and avoids the mass displacement of people. The upcoming Arab summit will serve as a critical opportunity for these countries to unite against the forced relocation plan and advocate for a solution that allows Palestinians to remain in Gaza while rebuilding their lives.
As the humanitarian crisis in Gaza continues, Egypt and Jordan’s diplomatic efforts offer hope for a peaceful resolution that prioritizes the rights of Palestinians while maintaining stability in the region. We await to see the outcomes of the Arab summit and the potential ramifications of Egypt and Jordan’s united stance against Trump’s proposal. The coming weeks could shape the future of Gaza and the bigger Middle East peace process.
RELATED:
