Arab League Proposal Paves the Way for a Palestinian-led Future in Gaza
(Washington, D.C., March 4, 2025) – The United Nations Security Council should endorse the Arab League's Gaza reconstruction proposal, which Egypt presented at the emergency Arab League summit in Cairo on Tuesday, said DAWN. The plan focuses on phased reconstruction of the territory under Palestinian governance and control, without displacing Palestinians, but does not include a clear political program to end Israel's siege of the Gaza Strip.
"The Arab League plan presents a realistic and viable pathway to rebuild Gaza without the displacement of Palestinians or the seizure of their land," said Sarah Leah Whitson, executive director of DAWN. "Unlike reckless proposals that seek to remove Palestinians from their homeland, this framework focuses on stability and reconstruction, and clears the way for eventual Palestinian self-determination."
Key Provisions of Arab League Plan
-The Arab League proposal advocates for reconstruction that is entirely Palestinian-led, with built-in safeguards to prevent the displacement of Palestinians.
-It envisions the establishment of secure zones within Gaza where Palestinian residents can remain safe, while outlining a multi-phase reconstruction strategy that culminates in the long-term vision of "Gaza 2030."
-The plan outlines an immediate relief phase, followed by two subsequent phases: an initial two-year period focusing on emergency housing, debris removal, and critical infrastructure, and a subsequent 2.5-year phase dedicated to restoring permanent housing, public services, and economic revitalization.
The proposal's multi-phase plan places Palestinian leadership at its core. It calls for the creation of a six-month transitional government, composed of technocrats and non-partisan figures, to oversee the implementation of the project. This transitional period is intended to bridge the gap until a reformed Palestinian Authority can assume full governance. The phased plan is carefully structured: the immediate phase provides emergency relief and temporary shelter, followed by a comprehensive rebuilding of critical infrastructure over the next two years, and ultimately, the development of permanent housing and sustainable economic systems over an additional 2.5 years.
"The process of rehabilitating and rebuilding Gaza must be Palestinian-led and Palestinian-owned, and that is a welcome feature of the Egyptian proposal," said Michael Schaeffer Omer-Man, DAWN's Israel-Palestine research director. "At the same time, Gaza and its people will never be truly free without a parallel political program to end Israel's siege and occupation."
The proposal currently does not include mechanisms to hold Israel accountable for the destruction it has inflicted on Gaza. Without robust accountability measures, the plan risks being undermined by future Israel aggression. Drawing on historical precedents, such as the UN Compensation Commission established after Iraq's invasion of Kuwait, DAWN urges a similar framework for accountability and remedy here. A UN Security Council resolution under Chapter VII—or if it is unwilling or unable, then the General Assembly under a Uniting for Peace resolution—should mandate reparations from Israel for its extensive destruction in Gaza. Such a measure would create a legal and financial imperative for Israel to address the devastation it has caused, thereby helping to ensure that reconstruction efforts are not compromised by continued acts of aggression.
Equally critical are the international protection measures required to secure Gaza against further attacks. DAWN calls for the deployment of UN peacekeeping forces, akin to the "blue helmets" that have operated in other conflict zones, to protect civilian lives and infrastructure. These security measures would serve as a crucial deterrent against any future military actions, guaranteeing that the safe zones established within Gaza remain secure and that the reconstruction process can proceed without interruption.
"Gaza once had an airport, a seaport, homes, markets, and streets—all destroyed by Israel," said Raed Jarrar, DAWN's Director of Advocacy. "Without international protections to ensure Israel pays for its destruction and refrains from further attacks, rebuilding becomes a Sisyphian exercise."
While the proposal's recommendation for a six-month transitional government of technocrats is a commendable step toward overcoming entrenched factionalism, it remains crucial to reject any attempts by Israel or others to exclude Palestinians, including members of Hamas' civilian governance structures, on political grounds. Historical lessons, such as the failed de-Baathification process in Iraq, demonstrate that marginalizing capable professionals based solely on political affiliation only exacerbates instability and undermines long-term progress.
"Palestinians from Gaza, regardless of their political affiliation, should be able to participate in building the future of their country," added Jarrar. "Excluding capable professionals on political grounds is not an option if we are to establish a secure, inclusive, and forward-looking governance structure."
Recommendations
1-To the UN Security Council: DAWN calls on the UNSC to urgently endorse the Gaza reconstruction proposal and to pass a Chapter VII resolution that mandates reparations from Israel for its destruction in Gaza, while authorizing the deployment of international peacekeeping forces to secure the region and enforce a no-fly zone. If the Security Council is unwilling or unable to do so, the General Assembly should take up the matter in a Uniting for Peace resolution.
2-To the international community: DAWN urges governments and international financial institutions to support a comprehensive reconstruction framework that ensures Palestinian-led governance, provides essential funding for rebuilding efforts, and establishes robust legal and military mechanisms to hold Israel accountable for its past and future violations.
