Gaza reconstruction needs political clarity, stability, says UAE adviser

The diplomatic adviser to the UAE’s president said on Wednesday that a Gaza reconstruction plan cannot happen without a clear path to a two-state solution for Israel and the Palestinians, Reuters has reported. Investment in the project would need political stability, added Anwar Gargash in remarks at the Investopia 2025 conference in Abu Dhabi.

“Clearly, you need political stability of a roadmap in order for these big investments to come to place,” said Gargash.

Arab states are weighing-up a post-war plan for Gaza to counter US President Donald Trump’s proposal to redevelop the strip under US control and displace Palestinians, a prospect that has angered regional leaders. The mainly Egyptian proposal may include up to $20 billion in funding from the region over three years, sources familiar with the discussions have said.

Egypt and Jordan held discussions with Gulf states in Riyadh last week to discuss the proposal ahead of an emergency summit to be held in Egypt on 4 March to discuss Gaza reconstruction.

“You know, you can’t just go and sort of invest billions without that political clarity and come back to see yet another conflict,” said Gargash. “I think that position is very clear.”

When asked if Trump’s proposal for Gaza was intentionally provocative to force Arab states to come up with a plan, Gargash replied: “President Trump is a disruptor in many areas and the Arab, let’s say state system, was up to the challenge in my opinion. And I think it allowed the Arab state system to step up.”

READ: Netanyahu reiterates support for Trump’s Gaza ethnic cleansing plan