•The plan has been met with opposition by Washington and Tel Aviv
Jeddah, Saudi Arabia| Foreign ministers from Muslim-majority nations have formally adopted a plan for a Palestinian-led administrative committee to govern Gaza, facilitating much-needed reconstruction efforts in the war-torn enclave.
The decision, reached during an emergency meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, represents a significant pushback against a U.S. proposal advocating for external control over Gaza.
The OIC’s 57-member body issued a communiqué stating its endorsement of the plan, which had already been ratified three days earlier by the Arab League at a summit in Cairo.
The initiative is designed to lay the groundwork for early recovery and long-term rebuilding of Gaza, which has suffered extensive destruction due to prolonged conflict.
International Reactions and Strategic Goals
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, a key proponent of the initiative, hailed the OIC’s endorsement as a crucial milestone.
He emphasized the need for broad international backing, particularly from influential global powers.
“The next step is for the plan to become an international plan through adoption by the European Union and international parties such as Japan, Russia, China, and others,” Abdelatty stated.
The OIC’s decision comes in direct opposition to a controversial proposal from U.S. President Donald Trump, which seeks to place Gaza under external administration, potentially displacing its Palestinian population.
Trump’s initiative, which has received support from Israel, has been widely condemned across the Muslim world as an infringement on Palestinian sovereignty.
U.S. and Israeli Objections
Despite growing regional support for the OIC-backed framework, the plan has faced resistance from both Washington and Tel Aviv.
U.S. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce dismissed the proposal, stating that it “does not meet the expectations” of the Biden administration.
Meanwhile, Israel has also rejected the initiative, citing concerns over governance and security.
However, Steve Witkoff, Trump’s Middle East envoy, struck a more conciliatory tone, acknowledging the Egyptian-led proposal as a “good-faith first step.”
His comments suggest that while the U.S. has not endorsed the plan, it may be open to discussions regarding its implementation.
Exclusion of Hamas and Future Implications
A critical point of contention is the exclusion of Hamas from the proposed administrative body.
Hamas, which has controlled Gaza since 2007, has not been granted a formal role in the governance structure outlined by the OIC plan.
This omission has led to speculation about potential challenges in executing the initiative, given Hamas’ strong influence in the region.
While the OIC’s plan has garnered significant support among Arab and Muslim-majority states, its success will largely depend on securing broader international backing.
As diplomatic efforts intensify, the coming weeks will be crucial in determining whether this Palestinian-led initiative gains traction on the global stage or faces further obstacles from Western and Israeli opposition.
Looking Ahead
With Gaza’s humanitarian crisis worsening, the need for a sustainable solution has become more urgent than ever.
The OIC’s move signals a determined effort by the Muslim world to shape the future of Gaza independently of external powers.
However, whether the initiative will overcome geopolitical hurdles and secure the necessary funding and legitimacy remains an open question.
As diplomatic negotiations continue, all eyes will be on how major global players, including the EU, China, and Russia, respond to the initiative—potentially setting the stage for a new phase in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict.
This report includes information sourced from Agence France-Presse (AFP), The Associated Press (AP), and Reuters.
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