The foreign ministers of five Arab countries and a representative of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO) on Wednesday convened with the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, in Doha, Qatar.
The meeting discussed the latest developments in the Gaza Strip and Egypt’s plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, which was adopted by the Extraordinary Arab Summit in Cairo, on March 4, 2025.
Arab Ministers in Doha
The meeting in Doha saw the participation of the Saudi Foreign Minister, Prince Faisal bin Farhan, according to the Saudi Press Agency (SPA). It was also attended by Qatar’s Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Sheikh Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani; Egypt’s Foreign Minister, Badr Abdelatty; UAE’s Foreign Minister, Khalifa Shaheen Al Marar; and Jordan’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Ayman Safadi.
Moreover, the Secretary of the Executive Committee of the Palestine Liberation Organization, Hussein Sheikh, and the US Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, took part in the meeting.
During the meeting, the Arab foreign ministers presented the Gaza reconstruction plan, adopted at the Arab Summit in Cairo. Furthermore, they agreed with Witkoff to “continue consultations and coordination on this plan as a basis for the reconstruction efforts in the sector,” they said in a joint statement.
Arab Support for Two-state Solution
According to the joint statement, the Arab ministers reiterated the importance of “establishing a ceasefire in Gaza and the occupied Palestinian territories, stressing the need for genuine efforts to achieve a just and comprehensive peace based on the two-state solution, ensuring the fulfillment of the Palestinian people’s aspirations for freedom and independence.”
The Arab ministers also “reiterated their commitment to maintaining dialogue to reinforce the ceasefire and to work jointly to establish security, stability, and peace in the region, through intensified diplomatic efforts and coordination with various regional and international parties.”
Gaza Reconstruction Plan
At the Emergency Arab Summit for Palestine, held in Cairo on March 4, 2025, the Arab countries approved a $53bn plan which will rebuild Gaza without displacing Palestinians from their territory. The plan, developed by Egypt, consists of an early recovery plan and two key phases over five years.
The plan involves building hundreds of thousands of housing units, as well as launching major infrastructure projects. It also provides for an independent committee of non-factional technocrats to administer Gaza for a transitional period.
Trump Backtracks on Displacement
The Arab plan came in response to the US President Donald Trump’s proposal to resettle Palestinians in other countries, including Egypt and Jordan, suggesting that the US will take over the Gaza Strip and transform it into a “Riviera of the Middle East.”
However, Trump seemed to backtrack on his plans. “Nobody is expelling any Palestinians from Gaza,” the US President said on Wednesday, during a meeting with Irish Prime Minister, Micheal Martin, at the White House, according to Reuters.
Egypt Welcomes Trump’s Remarks
Egypt on Thursday expressed its appreciation for Trump’s remarks on not demanding Gaza’s residents to leave their territory.
In a statement, the Egyptian Foreign Ministry said that these remarks “reflect an understanding of the need to avoid a worsening humanitarian situation and the necessity of working towards finding just and sustainable solutions for the Palestinian cause.”
Furthermore, Egypt stressed the importance of building on this “positive approach to advance efforts for peace in the Middle East through adopting a comprehensive path based on a clear vision that ensures stability and security for all parties.”
