Libyan speaker urges establishing Arab-Islamic fund to rebuild Gaza

By Muetaz Wannes​​​​​​​ and Rania Abu Shamala

TRIPOLI, Libya (AA) - Libyan House of Representatives Speaker Aguila Saleh urged Saturday the establishment of the Arab-Islamic Fund to develop and reconstruct the Gaza Strip, with contributions from states, organizations, banks and investment companies.

It came during a speech by Saleh at the Arab Parliament Conference held at the Arab League headquarters in Cairo.

"Today we meet amid the most dangerous attempts to eradicate the Palestinian cause, following the physical annihilation our people in Gaza have endured over the past 15 months, during which the world witnessed firsthand the killing of thousands of defenseless civilians --men, women and children -- and the destruction and burning of their property,” said Saleh.

He urged Palestinians to unite their ranks and positions at the popular and official levels, inside and outside Palestine. He affirmed that "the unity of the Palestinian front necessarily means the unity of the Arab front -- there is no other option."

The speaker added: "From this platform, I call on Arab governments, with the participation of Islamic countries and international organizations, to establish the Arab-Islamic Fund for the Development and Reconstruction of Gaza, managed by a trustworthy body capable of the highest level of responsibility and competence."​​​​​​​

US President Donald Trump has repeatedly called for the US to “take over” Gaza and resettle its population to redevelop the enclave into “the Riviera of the Middle East.” The idea has been vehemently rejected by the Arab world and many other nations, who said it amounts to ethnic cleansing.

Trump's proposal emerged after a ceasefire agreement took effect in Gaza on Jan. 19, pausing Israel’s 15-month onslaught, which has killed more than 48,300 victims and left the enclave in ruins.