OIC Adopts Arab Plan for Gaza Reconstruction to Counter Trump’s Controversial Proposal

Jeddah, Saudi Arabia – March 08, 2025
The Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) has officially endorsed the Arab plan for the rapid rehabilitation and reconstruction of Gaza, a move aimed at countering U.S. President Donald Trump’s contentious proposal to displace Palestinians and transform the war-torn region into a "Middle East Riviera." The decision, announced on Saturday, followed a two-day meeting of foreign ministers from the OIC’s 57 member states at its headquarters in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.

A Unified Islamic Response to Gaza’s Crisis

The OIC’s adoption of the Arab plan, originally crafted by Egypt and approved by the Arab League in Cairo on Tuesday, underscores a collective Islamic stance on rebuilding Gaza without relocating its 2.4 million residents. In a statement, the OIC urged the international community and global financial institutions to provide urgent support for the initiative, emphasizing the need for swift action following 15 months of devastating conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty hailed the plan’s adoption as a “very positive” step, noting that it has evolved from an Egyptian initiative into a broader “Arab-Islamic plan.” The Sudanese foreign minister echoed this sentiment, signaling regional solidarity. The plan sidelines Hamas, envisioning the return of the Palestinian Authority—ousted from Gaza in 2007—to oversee reconstruction efforts.

Trump’s Proposal Sparks Global Backlash

The OIC’s decision comes in direct response to Trump’s controversial suggestion to relocate Gaza’s Palestinian population to Egypt and Jordan, a proposal that has drawn widespread condemnation. Trump’s vision of turning Gaza into a luxury destination has been criticized as dismissive of Palestinian rights and sovereignty, fueling outrage across the Arab and Islamic world.

In contrast, the Arab plan prioritizes rebuilding Gaza’s infrastructure and supporting its residents in place. Arab leaders, meeting in Cairo earlier this week, established a reconstruction fund and called for international backing. Abdelatty emphasized the next goal: securing endorsements from the European Union, Japan, Russia, China, and other global players to transform the initiative into an internationally recognized framework. “We are engaging all parties, including the U.S.,” he added.

Mixed Reactions from Global Powers

Israel has outright rejected the Arab plan, while the United States offered a lukewarm response. The U.S. State Department stated that the proposal “falls short of Washington’s expectations,” though Trump’s Middle East envoy, Steve Witkof, described it as “a good-faith first step by Egypt.” Analysts suggest the plan’s success hinges on building a broad coalition to counter relocation efforts.

Rabha Seif Allam of Cairo’s Al-Ahram Center for Political and Strategic Studies highlighted Egypt’s need for “wide support” to oppose Trump’s displacement agenda. Meanwhile, Omar Karem, a Saudi affairs expert at the University of Birmingham, called the Jeddah meeting a powerful signal of “Islamic world unity.”

Syria Rejoins the OIC

In a separate development, the OIC reinstated Syria’s membership, suspended in 2012 amid the regime’s crackdown on pro-democracy protests. Following the ousting of former President Bashar al-Assad on December 8 after 13 years of civil war, Syria’s Foreign Ministry welcomed the move as “an important step” toward reintegration into the regional and international community.

What’s Next for Gaza?

As the OIC pushes forward with the Arab plan for Gaza reconstruction, the initiative’s success will depend on securing global buy-in and navigating opposition from Israel and skepticism from the U.S. With tensions high and the humanitarian crisis in Gaza deepening, the international community faces a critical juncture in shaping the region’s future.

For updates on the OIC Gaza plan, Trump’s Middle East policies, and Arab-Islamic cooperation, stay tuned.