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Egypt Proposes ‘Safe Zones’ in Gaza Reconstruction Plan

Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)
Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)
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Egypt Proposes ‘Safe Zones’ in Gaza Reconstruction Plan

Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)
Machinery for debris removal on the Egyptian side of the Rafah crossing awaits entry into Gaza. (AFP)

Egypt is finalizing a comprehensive plan for Gaza’s reconstruction, which includes the establishment of “safe zones,” as it announced the postponement of an emergency Arab summit on developments in the Palestinian issue to allow for further logistical and substantive preparations.

The Egyptian Foreign Ministry said in an official statement on Tuesday that Cairo will host the emergency Arab summit on March 4.

The ministry added that the new date was set in coordination with Bahrain, which holds the current presidency of the Arab League summit, and after consultations with Arab states.

Egypt had initially announced last week that it would host the emergency Arab summit on February 27.

However, Arab League Assistant Secretary-General Hossam Zaki said in a televised interview on Sunday night that the summit was likely to be postponed by a few days for logistical, not political, reasons, emphasizing that Cairo wanted the highest possible turnout of Arab leaders.

The call for an emergency Arab summit came after former US President Donald Trump suggested taking control of Gaza and relocating its residents to neighboring countries, particularly Egypt and Jordan.

The proposal triggered widespread regional and international condemnation and spurred a unified Arab stance rejecting any forced displacement.

Egypt has announced plans to present a comprehensive reconstruction proposal for Gaza that ensures Palestinians remain on their land, a plan currently being coordinated with Arab states.

According to Egypt’s Al-Ahram newspaper, Cairo has outlined a broad vision for rebuilding Gaza, centered on establishing safe zones for Palestinians.

The plan involves Egyptian and international companies clearing debris and restoring infrastructure within a short timeframe.

The report added that Egypt has called for an international conference on Gaza’s reconstruction, stressing that the scale of destruction requires tens of billions of dollars.

Cairo’s approach, it noted, is based on a practical and actionable plan that preserves Palestinian presence on the ground.

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Syria's Sharaa Skips Iraq Summit After Firestorm Over Invitation 

French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) receives Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 07 May 2025. (EPA)
French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) receives Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 07 May 2025. (EPA)
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Syria's Sharaa Skips Iraq Summit After Firestorm Over Invitation 

French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) receives Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 07 May 2025. (EPA)
French President Emmanuel Macron (not pictured) receives Syrian interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa at the Elysee Palace in Paris, France, 07 May 2025. (EPA)

Syrian President Ahmed al-Sharaa will not attend the Arab League Summit in Baghdad this weekend, Syrian state media said on Monday, after Iraq's invitation spurred criticism from pro-Iran groups.

Syria's delegation to Saturday's summit will be headed by Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani, state-owned Ekhbariya TV reported, without providing a reason for Sharaa's absence. The summit is expected to focus on Gaza reconstruction and the Palestinian issue.

Sharaa's decision highlighted Syria's mixed results establishing ties across the region after former President Bashar al-Assad's ouster last year. Sharaa has made rapid inroads with Gulf Arab states Saudi Arabia and Qatar, but has tread more carefully with others where Iran has had strong influence, like Iraq.

Several influential Iraqi politicians had voiced opposition to Sharaa's visit.

They include former prime minister Nouri al-Maliki, a leading member of Iraq's main pro-Iran coalition that holds a parliamentary majority.

Armed groups aligned with Tehran had also joined the call against Sharaa, including the Kataeb Hezbollah faction, which previously fought in Syria alongside Assad's forces.

Sharaa fought with Al-Qaeda in Iraq after the US-led invasion in 2003. He was imprisoned there for more than five years, then released for lack of evidence in 2011, according to a senior Iraqi security official.

Several Iraqi security sources told AFP that an old arrest warrant for Sharaa from his time as a member of Al-Qaeda remains in place.

However, authorities seek good relations with Syria's new leadership to help maintain regional stability, the sources said.

Sunni politicians largely welcomed Sharaa's participation in the summit as a step towards pulling Iraq away from Iran and towards the Arab fold.

"There are elements... working against Iraq's progress to reclaim its rightful place within the Arab community," said Raad al-Dahlaki, head of Azm Alliance, a major Sunni bloc in Iraq's parliament.