There is still a lot of work to be done before the Arab Summit on March 4 takes place, according to a long article in Egypt’s Al Ahram daily, which often speaks for the government. Among the key issues will be the Egyptian reconstruction plan, as well as security arrangements for post-conflict Gaza. Last week’s impromptu meeting of the leaders of Egypt, Saudi Arabia, Jordan, and members of the Gulf Cooperation Council, that took place in Riyadh, did not come to a consensus on these issues, according to Al Ahram. According to its sources, the leaders were hesitant about committing to reconstruction before a full Hamas exit from the scene, while there were differences over the details of the management and security of Gaza and the role of the Palestinian Authority in Gaza that have still to be ironed out.
Of major concern was the status of the ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, and fear that Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu is working to sabotage it, now that he thinks he is being empowered by support from U.S. President Donald Trump.
