The expensive reconstruction of Gaza will be discussed in November with Egypt and the US at the forefront

Second phase of the peace plan underway after meeting of 30 world leaders. But Hamas only handed over 4 of 28 bodies: it will not be able to locate the other bodies. Israel gave a deadline until the end of the day.

The Egyptian President, Abdel Fattah al-Sisi, announced at the end of this Monday that Cairo will host a conference in November under the reconstruction of the Gaza Stripbased on the plan of the American counterpart, Donald Trump.

“Egypt will work with the United States to advance reconstruction,” said Al-Sisi during a ceremony in the seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, attended by around 30 world leaders, during which a declaration was signed that commits international mediators to an end to hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas.

The United States, Egypt, Qatar and Turkey, mediators of the peace agreement in Gaza, committed to ensuring stability in the region, both for the Palestinians and the Israelis, and to resolve future conflicts through diplomacy and negotiations.

1st phase completed, 2nd in negotiations

In yesterday’s ceremony, in the seaside resort of Sharm el-Sheikh, with the participation of around 30 world leadersa declaration was signed that commits international mediators to the end of hostilities between Israel and the Palestinian Islamist group Hamas — the first phase of a peace agreement presented by Donald Trump.

Neither Israel nor Hamas were present at the conference and signing of the peace agreement. However, the president of the Palestinian National Authority, Mahmud Abbas, was present.

In this first phasea ceasefire was agreed, the gradual withdrawal of Israeli forces, the mass entry of humanitarian aid into the Palestinian enclave and the exchange of hostages for prisoners. All these steps have been completed.

A second phasewhose negotiations the North American leader said had already begun this Monday, will address the reconstruction of the enclave, as well as the disarmament of Hamas and the governance of the Gaza Strip.

However, Hamas said disarmament of the Islamist group is “out of the question” and “not negotiable”.

Ceasefire violated and Hamas did not hand over bodies

Israel accused Hamas of violating the peace agreement by announcing the return of only four of the 28 bodies of hostages Israelites who remain in their possession.

Israel demands the return of the bodies by the end of the day this Tuesday. According to mediators involved in the negotiations, the Hamas will be having difficulty locating all the bodies.

Yesterday afternoon it became known that at least seven alleged collaborators with Israel were executed by the Islamist group in Gaza City and other suspects and members of rival factions were arrested in the territory.

The seven alleged collaborators were shot among a crowd that shouted slogans in support of the armed resistance, reported the Europa Press news agency.

At the same time, three Palestinians were killed by Israeli fire and two others were shot, Al Jazeera reported, with images of bombings still taking place in the enclave.

Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip will cost at least 60 billion

Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip will cost at least 60 billion euros, 17 billion of which should be invested over the next three yearsthe UN announced this Tuesday.

The complete reconstruction of Gaza could take decades and will largely depend on the flow of resources allocated for this purpose.

The time it will take to rebuild the region will depend on donations from various countries and the private sector, according to the representative of the UN Assistance Program for the Palestinian People, Jaco Cilliers, who estimates that there are around 55 million tons of rubble created by the destruction of all types of infrastructure during two years of war.

“Last chance for peace”

“Peace is complemented by reconstruction after destruction”, said the Egyptian President, who wished for “a Middle East in which people enjoy peace, without terrorism and devoid of weapons of mass destruction”.

“I take this opportunity to appeal to the Israeli people to make this moment an opportunity to achieve peace: extend your hands to implement peace,” said Al-Sisi.

The Egyptian President also said that “this agreement closes a painful page in the history of humanity” and hopes that it will be a turning point for “a better future” in the Middle East.

Al-Sisi also praised Trump and invited him to join “the leaders of the world who are fighting for peace”, while expressing appreciation for “the wise leadership with the proposal and plan to end the catastrophic war”.

The American leader’s plan represents the “last opportunity” for peace in the region for the Egyptian president.

“Open horizon” for both States

The Egyptian President recalled that the objective of the plan is to open “the necessary horizon” to materialize the two-State solution, which envisages the creation of an independent Palestinian State, something that the Government of Israeli Prime Minister, Benjamin Netanyahu, is totally opposed to.

That said, Al-Sisi reinforced that the Palestinian people “have the right to self-determination and the right to freedom and security alongside Israel”, as well as to “mutual recognition”.

“We are committed to carrying out your plan. May the Gaza war be the last”, he added, remembering that the agreement is proof that “peace is the option that must be based on justice”.

1,968 thrilled to return home

In all, 1,968 prisoners were released under the ceasefire agreement in the Gaza Strip, including many convicted of deadly attacks against Israel, as well as 1,700 Palestinians arrested for alleged “security reasons” since the war began in October 2023.

In exchange, Hamas returned in two waves held captive in the Palestinian enclave for almost two years.

The stage to receive the first Palestinians released by Israel was ready hours ago in Khan Yunis, where buses with former detainees were received with an explosion of joy.

With lined up chairs, banners, speakers as a backdrop, thousands of people in an atmosphere of euphoria welcomed the bus processionreported the news agency France-Presse (AFP) from that large city in the south of the Palestinian territory, almost completely destroyed by the war.

In the small sliding windows of the vehicles, men of all ages, dressed in gray flannel shirts from the Israeli prison services, fought for space to stick their heads out. A man went up to greet one of them, even though the vehicle was still moving.

When getting off the buses, some stagger, others smile as they look around, and there are those who kneel down and kiss the ground, in tears.

Then, on foot, in wheelchairs or supported by members of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), wearing white vests, they headed to the courtyard of the Nasser hospital complex. In this sandy terrain, surrounded by warehouses, Hundreds of people had been waiting since the morning for their family members to return.

Palestinian flags, but also green ones from the Islamist group Hamas and black ones from the Al-Qods Brigades, the armed wing of the Islamic Jihad movement, were flying from early on, while loudspeakers broadcast songs praising freedom.

Prisoner defense organizations have been denouncing the case for more than a year. Several detainees died behind bars. Israeli authorities claim to comply with the law.