Arab Foreign Ministers Hold Closed-Door Meeting Ahead of Cairo Summit
On March 3, 2025, Arab foreign ministers met in Cairo to prepare for an emergency summit addressing a unified response to U.S. President Trump's controversial Gaza proposal. The focus was on a reconstruction plan that preserves Palestinian identity and prevents displacement, set to be discussed and approved at the March 4 summit.
hassan benyoub 
Cairo, March 3, 2025 – Arab foreign ministers convened a closed-door session in Cairo on Monday, setting the stage for an emergency Arab League summit on Tuesday to address a unified plan countering U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to control and depopulate the Gaza Strip. The meeting, described as “preparatory and consultative,” focused on a strategy to rebuild Gaza without displacing its 2.4 million residents, amid escalating regional tensions.
A Unified Arab Response
A source within the Arab League, speaking anonymously to AFP, confirmed the ministers’ private talks centered on a detailed reconstruction plan for Gaza, set to be presented to Arab leaders at Tuesday’s summit for approval. The initiative aims to thwart Trump’s controversial vision, which calls for the U.S. to seize Gaza, transform it into an “Eastern Mediterranean Riviera,” and relocate its Palestinian population to Egypt and Jordan—a proposal that has sparked global outrage.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty spearheaded preparatory efforts, holding separate meetings with counterparts from Jordan, Bahrain, Tunisia, Iraq, Yemen, and Palestine. A statement from Egypt’s Foreign Ministry highlighted Abdelatty’s push for “early recovery projects in Gaza without displacing Palestinians,” underscoring a regional consensus against forced migration.
Trump’s Plan and Arab Pushback
Trump’s blueprint, repeatedly floated since January, has drawn sharp rebukes for its displacement focus—first as a tourism investment pitch, then as a supposed safety measure for Gazans. Posts on X from February reflect this backlash, with users like @Abdulkhaleq_UAE asserting, “Gaza is Arab land, not for sale,” and praising an “Arab, realistic, and humanitarian” alternative ([X posts, Feb 20, 2025]). Last month’s Riyadh consultative meeting of Arab leaders laid the groundwork for this counter-strategy, emphasizing solidarity with the Palestinian cause.
On Sunday, Abdelatty told a Cairo press conference that the Arab reconstruction plan is finalized and ready for Tuesday’s summit endorsement, signaling a proactive stance against U.S. intentions. Trump, facing this united front, appeared to soften his rhetoric, stating last week, “I think it’s a successful plan, but I won’t impose it—I’ll just recommend it” ([Reuters, Feb 28, 2025]).
Why It Matters
The Cairo summit, set for March 4, follows months of war that ravaged Gaza, leaving over 160,000 dead or injured and 14,000 missing since October 2023. Trump’s proposal has fueled fears of a permanent Palestinian exodus, a red line for Arab states. Egypt and Jordan, backed by Saudi Arabia and others, have firmly rejected hosting Gazans, with posts on X echoing this resolve ([X posts, Feb 12-21, 2025]). The Arab plan prioritizes rebuilding within Gaza, preserving its Palestinian identity amid a humanitarian crisis.
What’s Next?
Tuesday’s summit will test Arab unity as leaders vote on the reconstruction framework, potentially shaping Gaza’s future and U.S. policy. With Abdelatty’s bilateral talks laying the groundwork, the outcome could mark a pivotal rebuff to Trump’s vision.
