Emergency Arab Summit: The End of Gaza’s Suffering?

The upcoming emergency Arab summit in Cairo on March 4, 2025, occurs amid widespread regional and global condemnation of U.S. President Donald Trump's proposal to "take over" the Gaza Strip, transform it into what he claims will be the "Riviera of the Middle East," and resettle Palestinians elsewhere. This plan, though predictably outlandish, catalyses a gathering fraught with both peril and potential as it introduced uncertainty into the delicate ceasefire negotiations between Israel and Hamas. There are growing concerns that it may derail discussions for the second phase of the truce, which seeks to end the 15-month-long war.

Cairo finds itself not merely hosting a summit, but rather presiding over a critical juncture, one that will test the very foundations of Arab solidarity and expose the vulnerabilities inherent in a region perpetually teetering on the brink. This summit is not simply about addressing the Palestinian issue; it is about confronting a blatant disregard for Palestinian rights and a cynical manoeuvre that threatens to unravel any semblance of regional stability.

The summit’s raison d'être is clear to construct a unified Arab front against this displacement agenda and, more broadly, to reaffirm a collective commitment to the Palestinian cause. However, the very notion of “Arab unity” is itself a historically fraught concept, often more aspirational than actual. Past summits have showcased deep divisions and diverging national interests, rendering collective action elusive. Cairo must navigate these fault lines, leveraging the palpable outrage over the displacement proposal to forge a genuine consensus. The challenge lies not only in articulating a unified stance but in ensuring its practical implementation, translating rhetorical solidarity into concrete actions. This summit will serve as a litmus test for the Arab League’s relevance and capacity to act as a cohesive force in the face of external pressures and internal fissures. The spectre of past failures looms large, demanding a demonstrable shift from pronouncements to tangible outcomes.

The impetus for this emergency summit is undeniably the incendiary proposal emanating from Washington, a plan to essentially empty Gaza of its Palestinian inhabitants and refashion it into a fantastical “Riviera of the Middle East.” This audacious scheme, suggesting the transfer of an entire population to neighbouring lands, specifically Egypt and Jordan, was met with the immediate and unequivocal condemnation it deserved. To even contemplate the mass displacement of Palestinians is not only a gross violation of international law and human decency, but also a profound miscalculation of the historical, emotional, and political weight the Palestinian issue carries across the Arab world. The suggestion, bordering on the decree, underscores a dangerous disregard for the agency and dignity of the Palestinian people, treating them as mere pawns in a geopolitical game. This proposal is not just impractical; it is ethically bankrupt and politically explosive, reigniting historical traumas and fuelling the very instability it purports to solve.

While thwarting the displacement plan is paramount, the summit’s agenda extends to a constellation of interconnected issues, all orbiting the central crisis of Palestine. The future of Gaza itself hangs in the balance. Discussions must delve into the crucial question of governance and reconstruction: Will Hamas retain control, or will the Palestinian Authority reassert its presence? How will the territory be rebuilt, and who will foot the bill? These are not merely logistical questions; they are deeply political, touching upon the very legitimacy of Palestinian representation and the long-term viability of any peace process. Furthermore, the seemingly moribund two-state solution will undoubtedly be resurrected, however symbolically. While many observers may view it with cynicism, given the current realities on the ground, for Arab leaders, reaffirming commitment to this framework remains a crucial diplomatic posture. Beyond these immediate concerns lies the overarching issue of regional stability. Any unilateral action, particularly one as volatile as mass displacement, risks igniting further unrest, potentially spilling beyond the confines of Gaza and Israel-Palestine. The summit must grapple with these cascading consequences, seeking to contain the fallout and prevent a wider conflagration.

The Cairo summit carries the weight of immense expectations, yet the path forward is shrouded in uncertainty. Optimistically, the summit could solidify a unified Arab stance, not just against displacement, but for a proactive engagement with the Palestinian issue. This could manifest in concrete alternatives to the U.S. proposal, perhaps focusing on a comprehensive reconstruction plan for Gaza and other affected territories, based on Palestinian self-determination and without forced relocation. Egypt, playing a leading role, might leverage its regional influence to garner international support, coordinating with nations equally wary of unilateral U.S. actions. However, a more pessimistic outlook cannot be dismissed. The summit may become another exercise in diplomatic posturing, yielding eloquent statements but lacking tangible actions. Divisions within the Arab world could resurface, undermining any unified front. Furthermore, the U.S. administration, despite widespread condemnation, might persist with its disruptive agenda, leaving Arab nations scrambling for reactive measures rather than proactive solutions. The summit’s success hinges on transcending rhetoric and embracing a pragmatic, unified approach capable of weathering the geopolitical storms ahead.

The geopolitical ramifications of the Cairo summit are profound and far-reaching. In the immediate term, it will undoubtedly strain already delicate U.S.-Arab relations, particularly if Washington continues to champion the displacement plan. For key U.S. allies in the region, the summit represents a necessary act of defiance, signalling the limits of their acquiescence to U.S. foreign policy dictates. Paradoxically, this could inadvertently strengthen regional unity, as Arab nations find common ground in opposing external pressures. The summit’s outcomes will also significantly influence the trajectory of the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. A robust, unified Arab stance advocating for a two-state solution and Palestinian rights could inject renewed momentum into stalled peace efforts, however improbable that may currently seem. Conversely, a weak or divided response could embolden hardline positions and further entrench the existing impasse. The summit, therefore, is not just a regional gathering; it is a geopolitical event with the potential to reshape alliances, redefine regional dynamics, and determine the future course of one of the world’s most intractable conflicts.

To sum up, the emergency Arab summit in Cairo is poised to be a defining moment. It is a response to a provocative and dangerous proposal, but it is also an opportunity – albeit born of crisis – to reaffirm Arab solidarity and chart a course toward a more just and sustainable future for Palestine. The challenges are immense, the stakes are high, and the path forward is fraught with obstacles. Yet, in the face of displacement and despair, the summit offers a fragile fortress, a platform to demand dignity, assert agency, and collectively navigate the treacherous landscape of regional politics. The world watches, waiting to see if Cairo can become not just a venue for discussion, but a crucible for decisive action, forging unity from discord and hope from the depths of despair.