Maldives offers support to rebuild Gaza

Maldives has offered support to rebuild Gaza under the Arab Reconstruction Plan: a plan proposed by Egypt to rebuild Gaza in phases without displacing the Palestinians.

While delivering Maldives’ national statement at the High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution, Permanent Representative of Maldives to the United Nations Dr. Ali Naseer Mohamed called on the international community to advance the principles of diplomacy and multilateralism to put an end to the deliberate acts of genocide being committed by Israel in Palestine.

He emphasized the need to acknowledge Palestine’s right to statehood along the pre-1967 borders, with East Jerusalem as its capital, and to maintain the ongoing humanitarian support provided by the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA).

He then affirmed Maldives’ support for the implementation of the Arab Reconstruction Plan. 

The High-level International Conference for the Peaceful Settlement of the Question of Palestine and the Implementation of the Two-State Solution was held at UN Headquarters in New York from July 28^th to July 30^th.

This conference, mandated by resolution A/RES/79/81 adopted by the UN General Assembly on December 3^rd, 2024, aims to advance the implementation of UN resolutions pertaining the question of Palestine and the two-state solution.

The Arab Reconstruction Plan, led by Egypt and backed by Arab nations, outlines a USD 53 billion initiative to rebuild Gaza and support the continued presence of its population. The plan targets completion of the reconstruction efforts by 2030, which will be implemented in phases.

To implement the plan, Arab nations stress that Israel must permit the entry of humanitarian aid, as well as reconstruction materials and equipment, into Gaza. They also call on Israel to cooperate with Arab partners in ensuring the delivery of essential services to Palestinians. The reconstruction process would start with clearing debris and deploying mobile housing and healthcare units. Additionally, the plan proposes establishing seven designated zones in Gaza where residents would be temporarily relocated, enabling the rebuilding of homes, infrastructure, and public facilities—beginning in southern Gaza and progressing to central and northern areas.

Central components of Egypt’s plan include securing stability on the ground, forming a governing authority in Gaza, and gradually turning the ceasefire into formal peace negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians.