Antalya's Arab-Islamic ministerial meeting reiterates support to Egyptian plan for Gaza reconstruction

CAIRO – 11 April 2025: An Arabic-Islamic ministerial meeting in Türkiye's Antalya, held on Friday, reiterated its support for the Arab-Islamic endorsed plan for the early recovery and reconstruction of Gaza.

The meeting, which took place on the sidelines of the Antalya Diplomacy Forum, also emphasized backing for the international Gaza reconstruction conference that Egypt plans to host later, according to a statement from the Egyptian foreign ministry.

The Egyptian plan for Gaza reconstruction was unveiled in March and has garnered support from numerous countries, including Arab and Muslim states, as well as Japan and the European Union.

The $53 billion plan outlines a five-year timeframe for post-war Gaza, aiming to secure permanent housing for the 2 million residents of Gaza, the majority of whom have been displaced by the war.

Notably, the proposal ensures that Gaza residents remain on their land throughout the reconstruction process, countering US-Israeli plans to permanently expel them.

Politically, an administrative committee composed of Palestinian professionals and independent technocrats is set to govern Gaza, currently ruled by Hamas, until the Palestinian Authority reestablishes control over the enclave.

Minister of Foreign Affairs @HakanFidan hosted the Organization of Islamic Cooperation-League of Arab States Gaza Contact Group Meeting held in extended format in Antalya. pic.twitter.com/juncNwn9j4

— Turkish MFA (@MFATurkiye) April 11, 2025

Support for the Arab plan comes while Israel resumed its military operations in Gaza on March 18, killing over 1,500 Palestinians and breaking a ceasefire brokered by Egypt, Qatar, and the US on January 19.

Since the Gaza war began in October 2023, nearly 51,000 people have been killed in Gaza, the majority of whom are women and children, according to the Gaza health ministry.

The initial phase of the ceasefire allowed humanitarian aid into Gaza and facilitated the exchange of 38 captives held by Hamas—30 of whom were alive—in return for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners.

Israeli forces resumed hostilities after Hamas rejected a US-Israeli proposal to extend the expired ceasefire phase, which involved releasing more captives in exchange for prolonging the truce.

Instead, Hamas advocated for a transition to the second phase of the original agreement, which calls for the full withdrawal of Israeli forces from Gaza and an end to the war.

Reviving Ceasefire

During the ministerial meeting, Egyptian Minister of Foreign Affairs Badr Abdelatty emphasized ongoing efforts to ensure the immediate return to full implementation of the Gaza ceasefire.

He highlighted the need to advance to phase two of the agreement, which includes the release of captives and the withdrawal of Israeli troops from Gaza.

Abdelatty warned against any attempts to alter Gaza's demographic landscape through proposals to resettle Palestinians outside their lands, stating that such actions constitute a flagrant violation of international humanitarian law, undermine peace efforts, and threaten regional stability.

The foreign minister also reiterated ongoing efforts to promote the Arab-Islamic Gaza reconstruction plan and emphasized the need to empower the Palestinian Authority.

He highlighted the roles of Egypt and Jordan in training Palestinian police personnel in preparation for their deployment to the Gaza Strip.