The keys to Gaza's reconstruction led by Egypt

Egypt has been a key player in the mediation between Israel and Hamas. After 11 days of offensives, Egypt managed to mediate between the two sides so that Israel unilaterally approved a ceasefire in the Gaza Strip. The Netanyahu government had come under increasing international pressure to stop the violence, but it was not until the Egyptian proposal that the Israeli government approved Egypt's mediation proposal for a "bilateral truce" with Hamas, "without conditions".

Following the cessation of offensives, the final toll of damage in the Gaza Strip has been largely significant. According to the Ministry, 1,500 homes have been destroyed during the attacks and more than 1,700 homes have suffered "irreparable damage" along with another 17,000 homes reportedly partially damaged. In this vein, a Gaza official estimated the cost of rebuilding Gaza at around $150 million.

From Cairo, reconstruction plans were swiftly implemented. Once the ceasefire was proclaimed, Egypt pledged to mobilise $500 million to rebuild the Palestinian territory. The Gaza Strip covers 365 square kilometres and is home to almost two million Palestinians who have been under blockade for 15 years. The current size and population means that Gaza suffers from major problems of overcrowding and shortages of basic commodities.

The only transit crossing that was exceptionally kept open was the Rafah crossing, a single border crossing linking Egypt to Palestine. It was through this crossing that Egypt facilitated the entry of humanitarian aid destined for the Palestinians and allowed the entry of wounded people for medical treatment.

In this sense, after the ceasefire between the parties and under the directives of the Egyptian president, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, Egypt continues to send aid to the neighbouring territory with thousands of tons of food, clothes, medicines and other supplies.

However, this supply has not been the only one. In recent days, dozens of bulldozers, cranes and trucks sent by the Egyptian government have moved towards the Rafah crossing to begin the direct reconstruction of the area. Egypt's state-run MENA news agency officially broke the story, reporting that "Egyptian engineering teams and brigades entered the Gaza Strip through the Rafah crossing to help remove rubble from destroyed houses".

Following the agreement formalised in a joint Palestinian-Egyptian committee, Palestinian officials have reported on an Egyptian-led reconstruction plan that would be based on four main tracks. In this context, the head of the Palestinian Contractors Union, Osama Kahil, revealed the agreement that would underpin the basis for beginning to implement the Egyptian subsidy for Gaza reconstruction.

Firstly, the plan is aimed at the population sector, which aims to rebuild the destroyed buildings, in addition to establishing 100,000 housing units to form a sort of residential city.

The second track of reconstruction is to rebuild furniture that was in public spaces, such as bridges and other architectural elements that did not exist before.

In a third instance, Cairo promises to rebuild government buildings that have been destroyed or damaged, with special emphasis on educational centres, as well as the reconstruction of factories and facilities.

Finally, Egyptian engineer Naji Sarhan said that a delegation will visit Gaza early this week to review and assess the effects of the escalating violence between Israel and Hamas in the area and prepare the ground for the rehabilitation of real estate and infrastructure.

Upon his return to Gaza, Sarhan stated that another delegation will review the reconstruction of economic and agricultural facilities and begin implementing new projects focused on building agricultural and farming facilities.

In addition, in a statement issued by the Palestinian government, the delegation headed by Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Abu Amr will include ministers of economy, public works, housing and agriculture.

Through Egypt's strong presence in the reconstruction of Gaza, Egypt is positioning itself as an active player in the Middle East region. This effort by Cairo is the culmination of an intense process aimed at restoring Egypt's role in the Middle East after years of diplomatic marginalisation. Egypt is now emerging as a strengthened mediator that pledges to maintain its influence and continue to take action to this end throughout the region.