Gaza Reconstruction Hinges on a Two-State Solution, UAE Diplomatic Adviser
Abu Dhabi — A massive reconstruction effort for Gaza is essential, but it cannot move forward without a clear path toward a two-state solution, said Anwar Gargash, the diplomatic adviser to the UAE’s president, on Wednesday.
Speaking at the Investopia 2025 conference in Abu Dhabi, Gargash emphasized that political stability is a prerequisite for any significant investment in rebuilding Gaza.
“Gaza desperately needs a reconstruction plan, and it must be a large-scale one. But such a plan simply cannot happen without a clear roadmap toward a two-state solution,” he said. “For these major investments to take shape, there needs to be political stability.”
His remarks come as Arab states consider their own post-war strategy for Gaza, in part to counter a controversial proposal by former U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump’s plan, which suggests placing Gaza under U.S. control while displacing Palestinian residents, has drawn widespread condemnation from regional leaders.
An alternative, primarily backed by Egypt, could see up to $20 billion in funding over three years from Gulf nations, according to sources familiar with the discussions. Last week, Egypt and Jordan met with Gulf states in Riyadh to discuss the proposal ahead of an emergency summit on Gaza reconstruction, set to take place in Egypt on March 4.
Gargash underscored the risks of investing in Gaza without a sustainable political resolution.
“You can’t just pour in billions of dollars without political clarity, only to witness another cycle of conflict,” he said. “That’s a clear and firm stance.”
When asked whether Trump’s Gaza proposal was designed to pressure Arab states into taking action, Gargash described Trump as a “disruptor” but suggested that the Arab world had risen to the challenge.
“The Arab state system, in my opinion, was up to the task,” he said. “If anything, it motivated the region to step up and take the lead.”
As diplomatic discussions continue, the key question remains whether regional powers can forge a plan that balances humanitarian needs with long-term political stability in Gaza.
