The Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) on Friday formally endorsed Egypt’s peace plan for Gaza, a key step towards addressing the enduring conflict that has ravaged the region. The endorsement, which came during the OIC’s emergency summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, reflects a unified stance among the bloc’s 57 member states—representing over 1.8 billion Muslims—to counter US President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to annex Gaza and displace its Palestinian population. Coming days after the Arab League’s approval for the plan, the OIC’s backing amplifies Egypt’s diplomatic initiative, positioning it as a credible alternative to Trump’s vision of transforming Gaza into a “Riviera of the Middle East” while expelling its residents to Egypt or Jordan.
Egypt, which has historically played a key role in meditating between Arab and Israeli actors is the key driver behind the latest plan to bring peace to Gaza, which has been ravaged by intense Israeli attacks, reducing much of the Strip to rubble. The Egyptian plan focuses on ceasefire at the earliest, which is the key to bring an end to the bloodshed that has claimed countless lives and lakhs of people. Cairo expects Israel to withdraw from contested zones, while urging Hamas and other Palestinian factions to cease hostilities. In exchange, Egypt commits to overseeing the delivery of humanitarian aid including food, medical supplies and rebuilding materials to ease the plight of Gaza’s two million inhabitants, who have suffered years of blockade and bombardment.
Preparatory meeting of the 20th Extraordinary Session of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the OIC Member States to address the aggression of Israel against the Palestinian people and its schemes for their displacement from their land and annexation thereof convenes at the OIC… pic.twitter.com/qxNnxnZ0bH
— OIC (@OIC_OCI) March 7, 2025
The OIC’s support lends significant weight to Egypt’s efforts. At the Jeddah summit, leaders praised the plan as a “pragmatic and balanced approach” to de-escalation, a sentiment echoed by Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, who dubbed it an “Arab-Islamic plan”. Sudan’s foreign minister reinforced this optimism, calling it a “very positive step”. The OIC reiterated the importance of addressing the humanitarian crisis, as basic necessities like power and water are virtually absent. The Islamic bloc also reaffirmed its commitment to the right of self-determination of the Palestinian people, aligning the latest peace plan with the two-state solution as a precondition for permanent peace.
Meanwhile, Egypt’s strategic position promotes its role as an objective mediator. As it shares the Rafah crossing with Gaza, and with its excellent diplomatic links with Israel, Cairo is uniquely placed to promote dialogue and ensure compliance. It has already initiated shuttle diplomacy, engaging Israeli officials and Hamas leaders to secure their support. The plan unfolds in phases: an initial truce to stop the fighting, followed by prisoner exchange negotiations and eventually broader talks on governance and reconstruction. This gradual approach seeks to rebuild trust, a rare commodity after decades of mutual distrust and violence between the parties.
The timing of the OIC’s endorsement is critical. Global focus on Gaza has sharpened as aid agencies warn of an impending famine and the collapse of healthcare infrastructure. The Jeddah meeting, chaired by Cameroon Foreign Minister Lejeune Mbella, was spurred by rising tensions and Trump’s displacement rhetoric. Mbella advocated a “concerted and multilateral approach”, insisting that peace depends on the two-state solution. Gambia’s Foreign Minister Mamadou Tangara, representing the Islamic Summit chair, condemned expulsion proposals as “provocative, brutal, and inhumane”, especially given recent ceasefire gains. He called for Israel’s complete withdrawal from occupied territories and denounced its ban on the UN Relief and Works Agency as a breach of international law.
OIC Secretary General Hissein Ibrahim Taha highlighted the plan’s reconstruction focus, urging a sustainable ceasefire, the return of expelled residents and the preservation of Palestinian territorial unity. The Arab League’s Cairo summit established a trust fund for Gaza’s rebuilding, with Egypt seeking endorsement from the European Union, Japan, Russia and China. “We aim to make this an international plan,” Abdelatty said, highlighting ongoing talks with all parties, including the US.
However, the proposal omits a proposal for Hamas Gaza’s de facto rulers, to disarm, a sticking point that has led to its rejection by both Israel and the US. State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce labelled it “inadequate,” citing Gaza’s “uninhabitable” state, while Trump’s envoy Steve Witkoff offered cautious praise, calling it a “good-faith first step”.
Challenges loom large. Israel, under Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, remains resistant to external mediation and Palestinian statehood, potentially viewing the plan as a concession to Hamas. Internal Palestinian divisions between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority further complicate implementation, though Egypt’s proposal prioritises immediate relief over reconciliation.
Trump’s divisive plan, despite facing widespread rejection, has galvanised regional action. Witkoff estimates Gaza’s reconstruction would take 10-15 years, suggesting Egypt’s zoned rebuilding approach warrants discussion. Yet, the US insists on Hamas giving up arms, a demand Egypt sidesteps, possibly as a bargaining chip. Arab leaders hope to leverage their reconstruction role to influence Israel, given America’s reluctance to fund Gaza’s recovery directly.
The OIC’s endorsement, alongside Syria’s readmission after over a decade, signals a renewed push for Palestinian rights. For Gaza’s war-weary residents, Egypt’s plan offers a fragile hope of rebuilding without exile. Whether it can break the deadlock or fade into history depends on the weeks ahead.
