Challenges to the Arab Plan for Gaza: Israel & the PA

Egypt has put forward a proposal for the reconstruction and administration of Gaza, positioning itself as a key player in addressing the crisis that has escalated since October 7, 2023. Supported by Arab states, the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, and several European nations, the plan extends beyond humanitarian aid

it is a geopolitical countermeasure to Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu’s vision for Gaza, which has recently gained the backing of former U.S. President Donald Trump and aims to depopulate the Strip.

For months, Arab nations were reluctant to take on the responsibility of rebuilding and governing Gaza without a broader resolution to Palestinian statelessness.

They resisted being drawn into a role akin to a revamped Palestinian Authority (PA), which would allow Israel to continue its occupation while expanding settlements in the West Bank. However, the growing threat posed by Netanyahu and Trump’s plans has compelled them to take decisive action.

Egypt’s $53 billion plan for rebuilding Gaza is built around a two-phase approach: an initial six-month period under a technocratic steering committee, followed by a transition to Palestinian Authority (PA) control. However, critical flaws in this strategy could undermine the initiative before it even takes off.

Netanyahu’s Resistance to PA Role in Gaza

Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu remains firmly opposed to any Palestinian Authority (PA) involvement in Gaza, viewing it as a pathway to unifying Gaza and the West Bank—an essential step toward reviving negotiations for Palestinian statehood.

For decades, Netanyahu and Israel’s political leadership have actively blocked any progress toward Palestinian self-determination, maintaining a strategy of division to keep statehood out of reach.

To counter Netanyahu’s obstruction, Arab states must secure broad international support, particularly from the Trump administration, which has the influence to pressure Israel into compliance.

Though Netanyahu may still attempt to derail the plan through bureaucratic obstacles, military actions, or economic pressure—tactics long used by Israel—the Arab proposal remains the most viable option to prevent Gaza’s depopulation through war and prolonged hardship.

A PA in Crisis: Legitimacy and Leadership Failures

Beyond Israeli opposition, a significant obstacle to the Arab plan is the Palestinian Authority (PA) itself.

Under President Mahmoud Abbas, the PA has lost political relevance, weakened by the collapse of the Oslo Accords and growing public discontent.

Abbas has further eroded the PA’s legitimacy by maintaining security coordination with Israel, consolidating authoritarian rule, and refusing to hold elections since 2006.

His leadership has become synonymous with repression—silencing opposition, stifling political renewal, and suppressing resistance to Israeli aggression.

Lacking a viable political process, the PA functions as an extension of Israel’s occupation, enforcing security in the West Bank without real governing authority.

This dynamic has fueled widespread Palestinian frustration, forcing Abbas to tighten his grip through increasing crackdowns on activists and factions demanding a stronger stance against Israeli policies of displacement and control.