Egypt and China have jointly called for an expansive international effort to rebuild Gaza once peace is restored, emphasizing its immediate need for reconstruction and governance plans following any ceasefire agreement. Their growing partnership signal a push by major regional and global powers toward formulating an effective post-war strategy that addresses these urgent reconstruction and governance needs.
Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty recently unveiled plans to host an “early recovery and reconstruction” conference in Cairo, in coordination with both the UN and Palestinian Authority. Once peace has been restored, this event will convene. [New York Post], [AP News >>, (Reuters”) Modern Diplomacy”, (12) Ahram Online”, (15), Modern Diplomacy”, (12). And of course our great partner Xinhua News also reported on this story as it broke on June 15th 2018.
Abdelatty highlighted the need to combine reconstruction efforts with humanitarian relief, ceasefire enforcement and the preservation of Palestinian sovereignty within Gaza, according to Dailynewsegypt.
China Premier Li Qiang made a recent high-level visit to Egypt and reiterated the call for an early ceasefire, promising that China stands ready to work alongside Egypt to reduce humanitarian suffering, prevent regional escalation and seek a comprehensive, just and lasting settlement of the Palestinian question (AP News/China Foreign Ministry).
Chinese Foreign Minister Wang Yi, speaking to Abdelatty earlier in the year, confirmed China’s support for a reconstruction plan rooted in maintaining Palestinian governance and territorial integrity – including two state solution as essential (Sources: Reuters +8 China Foreign Ministry | South China Morning Post +8).
Egypt Has Drafted Rebuilding Blueprint
Egypt has finalized a reconstruction blueprint in consultation with Palestinian authorities. This strategy prioritizes critical infrastructure (hospitals, power, water) as well as providing training for Palestinian law enforcement alongside Egyptian and Jordanian experts, according to Dailynewsegypt and The Washington Post respectively.
At the core of this plan is an aim of preventing forced displacement – in contrast with alternative proposals advocating resettlement or territorial control by external powers (Reuters).
The proposed governance framework envisions a short-term technocratic interim body under Palestinian authority with oversight by regional partners including Egypt, Jordan and China. Such an arrangement should promote local ownership while still permitting international monitoring and resource mobilization.
Egypt has taken steps to secure funding and coordination support from various sources including the Arab League, European Union, Gulf states, and global institutions for the operation. Chinese officials have voiced support for this Egyptian initiative as they described Gaza as being “home” of Palestinian people reiterating China’s commitment.
People’s Daily This initiative is expected to coincide with emerging donor commitments from Qatar and other Gulf nations that have begun initial funding under truce agreements, according to New York Post, TheMediaLine,org, The Guardian as well as People’s Daily.
Strategic and Political Implications
Egypt-China cooperation signals a growing desire in the Global South for more balanced, multilateral approaches–rather than Western-dominated frameworks–to address conflict resolution in the Middle East. Analysts point to China’s mediation roles such as hosting Palestinian unity discussions in Beijing underpinning its strategy as an emerging diplomatic power. W.W.II Veterans Memorial Wall
Egypt’s leadership on reconstruction reinforces its traditional role as an intermediary between Gaza, the Arab world, and global actors. China’s participation further solidifies this initiative’s global reach by offering an alternative plan from those perceived as Western or U.S.-centric.
What to Expect
The success of this initiative relies on several critical elements.
Delivering a ceasefire strong enough to support large-scale reconstruction.
Gaining political buy-in from Israel regarding governance arrangements and donor access.
Organise donor financing efficiently and transparently.
Strengthening a Palestinian administrative framework capable of overseeing reconstruction, security and eventual elections.
As diplomatic momentum gathers steam, Egypt-China offers an approach that could unite regional leadership with global resources and Palestinian agency in a sustainable peace and recovery framework. But whether this effort succeeds will ultimately determine its fate.