Doha, Qatar — Arab foreign ministers met with U.S. special envoy Steve Witkoff on Wednesday to discuss a comprehensive $53 billion reconstruction plan for Gaza, aiming to rebuild the region without displacing its residents.
Top diplomats from Qatar, Jordan, Saudi Arabia, Egypt, and the United Arab Emirates, along with the secretary-general of the Palestine Liberation Organization’s executive committee, convened in Doha to present the plan. According to Qatar’s Foreign Ministry, the ministers and Witkoff agreed to continue consultations and coordination, using the Arab-backed initiative as a foundation for Gaza’s reconstruction efforts.
Emphasizing the urgency of establishing a ceasefire in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, the ministers called for genuine efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution. They highlighted the necessity of ongoing dialogue to reinforce the ceasefire and to collaborate for regional security, stability, and peace.
The reconstruction plan, approved at the Arab summit in Cairo on March 4, intends to address the extensive damage in Gaza resulting from recent conflicts. It counters a previous proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which suggested redeveloping Gaza and relocating its population to neighboring countries, including Egypt and Jordan.
The meeting signifies a significant step towards mobilizing international support for Gaza’s rebuilding, focusing on preserving the livelihoods and homes of its people.
