Egypt in talks with US over rebuilding the Gaza Strip
Egypt announced on December 2nd that it is in talks with the US to set up an international conference for rebuilding the Gaza Strip, according to Middle East Monitor via Anadolu Agency.
During a joint press conference, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty announced that Cairo is holding discussions with Washington to set a date for the conference, which will be co-chaired by the two countries.
He also requested wider access to increased quantities of humanitarian aid into the devastated enclave in order to meet the pressing needs of its population suffering from a displacement crisis due to the vast destruction Israel inflicted on it for two years.
Almost 1.9 million Palestinians in Gaza, who comprise 90 percent of the population, have been displaced since October 7th, 2023. Most of them now live in tents due to the lack of liveable residential infrastructure.
What’s more, harsh weather conditions in recent weeks has rendered 93 percent of all displacement tents unsuitable for living, illustrating the urgent need for reconstruction.
Abdelatty stated that “we are working to consolidate the ceasefire agreement and begin the implementation of the second phase of (US) President Trump’s plan, and to move into the stage of early recovery and reconstruction.”
On October 14th, the United Nations estimated in a press release that roughly $70 billion would be required to reconstruct Gaza to a standard of living adequate enough to ensure basic safety for the entire population.
According to Jaco Cilliers, who is the UN Development Programme (UNDP) Special Representative of assistance to the Palestinian people, destruction across Gaza “is now in the region of 84 percent. In certain parts of Gaza, like in Gaza City, it’s even up to 92 percent.”
In late November, an unnamed official in the Trump administration confirmed plans to construct housing units exclusively in the Israeli-controlled areas of the Gaza-strip that would only shelter “screened” Palestinians, a process which has not yet been made clear.
Middle East Monitor via Anadolu Agency, Maghrebi.org, United Nations
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