Gaza plan placed in Cairo

Arab leaders meeting in Cairo on Tuesday are set to endorse a counterproposal to U.S. President Donald Trump’s call for the Gaza Strip to be depopulated of Palestinians and transformed into a beach destination.

Foreign ministers met in Egypt's capital on Monday before the emergency Arab League summit to discuss the Egyptian plan.

The draft proposal, seen by Middle East Eye, includes a $53bn reconstruction plan for Gaza, aiming to redevelop the enclave without displacing Palestinians.

The plan involves the Palestinian Authority (PA) overseeing the process through a Gaza Administration Committee for the first six months, supporting the PA's full return to Gaza.

The Arab League summit on reconstruction follows renewed backing of Trump's plan from Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, who labelled it ‘visionary and innovative.’

“We look forward to an effective Arab role that ends the humanitarian tragedy... and thwarts the (Israeli) occupation's plans to displace” Palestinians, the group said in a statement.

Trump triggered global outrage when he first floated his idea for the United States to "take over" the Gaza Strip and turn it into the "Riviera of the Middle East," while forcing its Palestinian inhabitants to relocate to Egypt or Jordan.

Palestinians, Arab states and many European governments have rejected Trump's proposal, opposing any efforts to expel Gazans.

Trump has recently appeared to soften his stance, saying he was "not forcing" the plan, which experts have said could violate international law.