How a future Gaza would look under Egypt’s $53bn plan
A public building in Gaza as envisaged by Egypt’s reconstruction plan
Sondos Asem reports in Middle East Eye on 5 March 2025:
Egypt’s $53bn plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, backed by the Arab League on Tuesday, has an ambitious vision for the architectural future of the war-ravaged Palestinian enclave.
The 91-page plan, shared with Middle East Eye by officials ahead of the extraordinary Arab summit, proposes a new urban character for Gaza’s post-war architecture, blending Palestinian heritage with modern technology and designs.
It was a counter-proposal to US President Donald Trump’s declaration last month that he intends to take over Gaza and turn it into a tourism hub while displacing its Palestinian population. The Egyptian plan, on the other hand, rejects the displacement of Palestinians and seeks to redevelop the enclave without depopulating it.
“Rooted like an olive tree, unwavering, and everlasting” is the motto for the vision. “The olive tree is not just a plant; it symbolises resilience and heritage in Palestinian culture. With roots that run deep into the earth, it clings firmly despite hardships, reflecting the strength of Palestinian identity and its deep connection to the land,” the document reads.
According to the plan, the proposed architectural design elements include the use of the Jerusalem stone, a type of limestone used in the construction of buildings in Jerusalem and surrounding areas. It also uses pointed arches, a distinctive architectural feature in Palestine used in mosques and churches, along with domes and vaults.