Egypt and Saudi Arabia promote an Arab political umbrella over Gaza
Egyptian President Abdel Fattah Al-Sisi and Saudi Crown Prince Mohammed Bin Salman are holding talks to establish an Arab political umbrella to limit Israeli advances in the Gaza Strip.
Egypt had already taken steps towards a possible ceasefire by getting Hamas to accept a proposal that included the creation of a civil and social management committee for Gaza, under the administration of the Palestinian Authority, once the fighting had ended.
In March, Cairo announced a plan to rebuild Gaza in coordination with the secretary general of the Arab League, Ahmed Aboul Gheit, the Palestinian Authority, various Arab countries that are members of the League, and with the supervision of the World Bank and the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
However, the Israeli government, led by Benjamin Netanyahu, rejected the agreement reached with Hamas that provided for a one-month ceasefire and has maintained its determination to continue its military occupation of the area.
In view of this situation, Egypt and Saudi Arabia are working together on a new diplomatic initiative with the aim of forming a regional political front that can persuade the United States and, at the same time, exert pressure on the Israeli government to prevent an escalation of the conflict and its possible repercussions throughout the region.
Al-Sisi reiterated his support for the Saudi plan presented during the ‘Two-State Solution’ conference, which calls for peaceful coexistence between Israel and Palestine.
According to the Egyptian government's official website, ‘the leaders also stressed the need to ensure unimpeded access for humanitarian aid to the people of Gaza, the release of hostages and prisoners, and the rejection of any attempt to displace Palestinians from their land or impose Israeli military occupation in the Strip.’
Diplomatic sources indicated that several Arab capitals share concerns about Israeli military advances, which affect not only Palestine but also territories in Syria and Lebanon, which have been the target of incursions in recent months. These nations fear that attempts are being made to realise the ‘Greater Israel’ project in the Middle East.
In September, a new session of the United Nations (UN) General Assembly will be held, at which several Arab countries will attempt to increase international pressure on Israel and achieve greater recognition of the Palestinian state. Among the countries that could join this recognition are France, the United Kingdom, Spain and Canada, among others.
Israeli affairs expert Ahmed Fouad Anwar said that one of the Netanyahu government's priorities is to halt the Gaza reconstruction plan and obstruct the diplomatic initiatives agreed by Egypt and the Arab League in March.
Finally, Egyptian government spokesman Mohamed Al-Shennawy reported that the recent meeting in the Saudi city of Neom between Al-Sisi and Bin Salman also reflects the mutual interest of both countries in strengthening their historical ties through new cooperation agreements in sectors such as technology, industry and energy.
