The Gaza war has led to various plans over the fate of Gaza, leading to concerns. According to multiple sources including the BBC and CNN, while the initial Gaza plan in the ceasefire deal — reached by the warring parties in January 2025 — was to rebuild Gaza which has been devastated by more than a year-long Gaza war, the proposal of the Trump administration is made that aims to make Gaza a Middle East Riviera. The latest proposed plan of Egypt aims at rebuilding Gaza within the next five years avoiding displacing Palestinians from the territory. But it remains unclear whether any plan that keeps Gazans outside their own place will bring lasting peace and what will be the fate of Gaza.
Any post-war Gaza plan excluding the Gazans from their lands will create further grievances and may lead to the continuation of the conflict between Israel and Palestine in the future too. It is notable that the Gazans have been living in the Gaza Strip for centuries and seeking an independent state for Palestinians for decades. Additionally, it is difficult to be implemented peacefully due to several reasons including the unwillingness of the Gazans to leave their place and there is opposition from Arab countries to the evacuation plan. Forced displacement will lead to growing anger among Gazans and Arab countries for a long, making the relations further bitter between Israel and Arab countries, along with between Arab countries and the United States.
But, contrarily, the Gaza plan of Egypt, proposed at the Arab Summit held in Cairo and attended by many Arab leaders, which requires around $53 billion is rendered a better plan for rebuilding post-war Gaza. This plan is endorsed by Arab countries including Saudi Arabia and supported by many European countries such as France, Germany, Italy and Britain. But it is difficult to implement the Egypt proposed plan, though it has many similarities with the plan proposed by the Biden Administration, because of several reasons including the rejection of Israel and the United States, a staunch ally of Israel in the Middle East that not only supported Israel during the war but also helped reach the ceasefire deal.
Given that further conflicts arise or forces are applied to displace the Gazans, who are already impacted by the war and have lost their homes and near and dear ones, on the basis of the post fate, the consequences can be deadly, which is undesired. In the least possible scenario, it can kill many Gazans and cause immense humanitarian consequences if the conflict aims at displacing them from their lands, which have already been termed by any as equivalent to ethnic cleansing. In the worst-case scenario, it can draw many other countries to the war — leading to a larger war in the entire region.
A desirable solution to the Gaza plans is vital. The reconstruction of Gaza is a better solution. But a consensus needs to be reached by the parties involved. Diplomatic steps are vital and will help reach a consensus on the post-war Gaza plan. The role of Arab leaders is crucial here. The good will and commitment are also vital not only to reach a desirable plan but also to reduce the chance of further conflicts.
Amir M Sayem
Chief Editor
Dhaka Opinion Magazine
