European and Arab States Push for Alternative Gaza Plan Amid Trump's Proposal

TDT | Manama

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European nations are collaborating with Arab allies to urgently devise a new plan for Gaza in response to US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal, which suggests emptying the war-torn region of Palestinians and transforming it into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”

Trump’s plan has sparked widespread alarm in both Arab and European capitals. The suggestion to relocate Gaza’s 2.2 million residents has prompted calls for a coordinated alternative that would address governance, security, and reconstruction once Israel’s 15-month conflict with Hamas comes to an end.

French President Emmanuel Macron stressed the need for a smarter and more feasible solution, telling the Financial Times that European efforts to oppose Trump’s plan would only be credible if a better alternative was presented. “This is what we need to move forward on. There are several very credible options,” he said.

Discussions are set to take place at the Munich Security Conference, where the foreign ministers of Germany, France, the UK, and Italy will meet with key Arab states, including Egypt, Saudi Arabia, and Jordan. The US is also expected to attend, although the level of involvement remains uncertain.

A European diplomat revealed that the talks will center on how European and Arab nations can work together to present a plan that would enable Palestinians to manage Gaza independently of both the US and Israel. “The Palestinians and the Arabs need to come up with a middle way where they run Gaza,” the diplomat stated. “That’s the gap that needs to be filled, and I think the Europeans will work with the Arabs, both on the funding and the presentation of the plans.”

Meanwhile, Egypt has announced plans for Gaza’s reconstruction, aiming to rebuild much of the territory that has been devastated by Israel’s bombing campaign since the October 7, 2023 Hamas attack. Cairo is working closely with Saudi Arabia and Jordan to show that Gaza can be rebuilt without displacing its population.

Trump’s proposal has included urging Egypt and Jordan to accept Palestinians from Gaza—a request that both countries have vehemently rejected. They fear that such displacement would destabilize the region and threaten their own security, making it clear they will not accept the forced relocation of Palestinians.

Before any reconstruction can begin, Arab states and Palestinian authorities must agree on a new administrative structure that ensures Hamas no longer holds power in Gaza. European and Arab diplomats have indicated that this is a crucial aspect of any viable plan moving forward.