Arab leaders gathered in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, to formulate a unified response to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial plan that proposes U.S. control over the Gaza Strip and the displacement of its population. The high-stakes summit is being held behind closed doors, according to diplomatic and governmental sources.

The Crown Prince of Saudi Arabia, Mohammed bin Salman, invited leaders from Gulf countries, Egypt, and Jordan to this informal meeting, as reported by the Saudi state news agency SPA.

Trump’s plan has united Arab nations in opposition, but disagreements persist over the governance of Gaza and the funding of its reconstruction. Umer Karim, an expert on Saudi foreign policy, called the summit “the most significant in decades for the Arab world and the Palestinian issue.

The plan, which sparked global outrage, suggests that the U.S. take control of Gaza and expel its 2.4 million inhabitants to Egypt and Jordan. This has been widely condemned as a violation of international law and human rights.

U.S. Senator Marco Rubio criticized Egypt, Jordan, the UAE, and Saudi Arabia for opposing Trump’s plan, urging them to “come up with a better one.” The SPA announced that joint Arab actions and decisions regarding the plan will be discussed at an emergency Arab summit set to take place in Egypt on March 4, focusing on Israel and Palestine.

During a meeting with Trump in Washington on February 11, King Abdullah II of Jordan stated that Egypt would present an alternative plan. A Saudi security source confirmed that the discussions would include “a version of the Egyptian plan” mentioned by King Abdullah.

The Egyptian Plan: A Three-Phase Approach

The Egyptian proposal, outlined by former Egyptian diplomat Mohamed Hegazy, is divided into three technical phases over three to five years:

1. Early Recovery Phase (6 months): Focuses on debris removal and identifying safe zones within Gaza for temporary relocation.
2. International Conference Phase: Aims to detail reconstruction efforts, particularly in public service infrastructure.
3. Urban Planning and Political Resolution Phase: Involves urban planning, housing construction, and educational and healthcare services. It also initiates political dialogue to implement a two-state solution, fostering conditions for a sustainable truce.

Financial Challenges and Global Implications

Funding remains the biggest challenge for the Egyptian plan, according to Arab diplomats. The United Nations estimated on Tuesday that rebuilding Gaza would cost over $53 billion, including $20 billion in the first three years.

The reconstruction of Gaza is set to be a major topic during the emergency summit in March, following Trump’s rationale that reconstruction needs justify population displacement. As the Arab world strategizes its next steps, the outcome of these discussions could reshape the geopolitical landscape of the Middle East.

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