In Riyadh on Friday, February 21, the leaders of the Gulf states, Egypt and Jordan showed their unity. They had been invited by Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed bin Salman to formulate a counter-proposal to US President Donald Trump's plan to take control of the Gaza Strip and move two million Gazans out of the enclave.

Arab leaders are seeking a common position on the financing of reconstruction, estimated at $53 billion (€50.6 billion) by the World Bank, and the future governance of the Gaza Strip. Their proposal is due to be presented in Cairo on March 4, at an emergency summit of Arab League countries.

On Friday, Arab leaders discussed a plan drawn up by Egypt. The plan, unveiled by the Emirati daily The National, envisages three phases spread over three to five years, starting with safe zones to temporarily relocate the displaced and clear the rubble. The second phase would involve reconstruction, with the organization of an international conference bringing together international donors. A political process aimed at a two-state solution would be relaunched in the third phase.

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