Israel criticises Egyptian proposal for Gaza, Hamas welcomes it

Israel criticised a plan put forward by Arab states for Gaza’s reconstruction yesterday, while Hamas welcomed it, Reuters reports.

Shortly after a summit of Arab leaders in Cairo, the Israeli Foreign Ministry said the reconstruction plan “failed to address” the realities of the situation following October 2023.

“Hamas’ brutal terrorist attack, which resulted in thousands of Israeli deaths and hundreds of kidnappings, is not mentioned, nor is there any condemnation of this murderous terrorist entity,” the Foreign Ministry said.

Hamas, however, called for providing the means to ensure the plan’s success and considered the summit a “step forward” for Arab and Islamic support behind the Palestinian cause.

The Palestinian group urged Arab leaders to compel Israel to commit to the ceasefire agreement which came into effect on 19 January.

“We value the Arab stance rejecting the attempts to displace our people,” Hamas added.

Representatives from Arab states met in Cairo yesterday and adopted Egypt’s plan for Gaza’s reconstruction that would cost $53 billion and avoid forcibly displacing Palestinians.

Israel meanwhile reiterated support for US President Donald Trump’s idea, which aims to displace Palestinians and relocate them to Jordan and Egypt, saying Arab states had rejected it without giving it a chance.

Israel also criticised the statement’s reliance on the Palestinian Authority and UNRWA, which it said had previously “demonstrated corruption and support for terrorism”.

The Arab statement condemned Israel’s latest decision to halt the entry of aid into Gaza, called for an end to Israel’s “aggression” in the occupied West Bank and affirmed the vital role of UNRWA in Gaza and the West Bank.

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