‘A Test of Our Commitment’: Al-Sharaa Urges Arab Unity on Gaza Reconstruction
Syria’s interim leader joins Arab heads of state in Cairo to discuss Gaza’s reconstruction, regional stability, and the future of Palestinian statehood
In a pivotal moment for regional diplomacy, Syria’s interim President Ahmed al-Sharaa arrived in Cairo for his first official visit to Egypt since assuming office. This visit, which also marks his debut regional appearance alongside key Arab leaders, comes in response to an invitation from Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi to participate in an emergency Arab summit focused on addressing the rapidly evolving situation in the Palestinian territories.
The summit, described as “extraordinary,” aims to develop a unified Arab strategy for reconstructing and managing Gaza following the recent devastating conflict, while firmly rejecting any plans to displace Palestinian residents outside the enclave.
Al-Sharaa’s presence in Cairo carries significant political weight, symbolizing a potential shift in Syrian-Egyptian relations after years of diplomatic coldness. The visit underscores a shared regional interest in strengthening Arab unity and signals Syria’s reemergence on the Arab stage after a prolonged period of political isolation.
Diplomatic Preparations and High-Level Engagements
Ahead of the summit, Syrian Foreign Minister Asaad al-Shaibani arrived in Cairo for preparatory meetings, coordinating with his Arab counterparts to align positions on key issues. Al-Shaibani’s discussions with Egyptian and Arab officials laid the groundwork for al-Sharaa’s appearance, ensuring Syria’s perspective would be clearly articulated during the summit deliberations.
During the summit, the Syrian president delivered a speech outlining Syria’s official stance on the Palestinian issue, regional security, and the broader Arab struggle for sovereignty. It was his first major address on an Arab platform of this scale.
In his speech, al-Sharaa described Syria’s return to the Arab League after years of isolation as a historic moment that reinforces unity and collective action. He emphasized that Syria’s reintegration into the Arab fold is a step toward confronting regional challenges and reaffirmed Damascus’ commitment to supporting just Arab causes.
The interim Syrian president also addressed the plight of the Palestinian people, stating that Palestine has endured multiple tragedies throughout its history. He condemned recent calls for the forced displacement of Palestinians, calling them “a stain of shame against humanity by all standards.”
Al-Sharaa warned that “this call is a threat not only to the Palestinian people but to the entire Arab nation,” adding, “This is a test of our commitment as Arabs to our fateful cause, and the time has come to stand against these schemes and reject them with all our strength.”
He urged Arab nations to take responsibility for the Palestinian people, emphasizing the need to affirm their right to return to their homeland and determine their own destiny.
Shifting to recent developments in Syria, al-Sharaa accused Israel of attempting to impose a new reality in the occupied Syrian territories. He reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to the 1974 Disengagement Agreement, which established ceasefire lines following the Yom Kippur War.
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“The Israeli aggression and military attacks require us to stand against this escalation,” al-Sharaa declared, calling on Arab nations to support Syria in resisting Israeli actions. He also urged the international community to fulfill its role in addressing the crisis, stating that global powers should “support Syria’s rights by pressuring Israel for an immediate withdrawal from southern Syria.”
A Step Toward Reconciliation: The Reshaping of Syrian-Egyptian Relations
The visit is widely interpreted as a breakthrough in Syrian-Egyptian relations, which had cooled significantly in previous years due to political differences and regional tensions. Observers view it as a crucial step toward restoring historical ties between two of the Arab world’s most influential states.
Syria and Egypt are essential pillars of the Arab world. Their political estrangement weakened the region, while their unity can reinvigorate collective Arab action.
Syrian political analyst Firas al-Khalidi, coordinator of the Cairo Platform for the Syrian Opposition, emphasized the strategic importance of rebuilding trust between Damascus and Cairo. Speaking with The Media Line, al-Khalidi stated: “Syria and Egypt are essential pillars of the Arab world. Their political estrangement weakened the region, while their unity can reinvigorate collective Arab action. Syria endured a painful period of estrangement, where its Arab identity was overshadowed by foreign influence. Today, Syria is reclaiming its natural position within the Arab fold, and restoring relations with Egypt is a vital part of that process.”
President al-Sharaa will articulate Syria’s position not only as a state but as a nation that sees Palestine as a central cause. His speech will reflect the sentiments of the Syrian people, who have long stood in solidarity with their Palestinian brothers and sisters.
Al-Khalidi further highlighted the symbolic significance of al-Sharaa’s speech at the summit: “President al-Sharaa will articulate Syria’s position not only as a state but as a nation that sees Palestine as a central cause. His speech will reflect the sentiments of the Syrian people, who have long stood in solidarity with their Palestinian brothers and sisters. I hope the bilateral meetings held on the sidelines of the summit will lay the groundwork for deeper cooperation between Syria and its Arab neighbors.”
While political analysts downplay the significance of the visit as part of routine diplomatic exchanges between the two countries, they recall Egypt’s delay in recognizing Bashar Assad’s fall and the subsequent raising of the new Syrian flag over the Syrian consulate in Cairo.
Ahmed Mawlana, an Egyptian lecturer in international relations at Istanbul Sabahattin Zaim University, told The Media Line, “Ahmed al-Sharaa’s visit was not within a bilateral framework, but rather within the framework of an emergency Arab summit, and amid general Arab acceptance of the change that occurred in Syria. Therefore, it cannot be considered a major development in official Egyptian-Syrian relations, although the meeting between the two presidents on the sidelines of the summit represents Egypt’s de facto acknowledgment of the new Syrian administration.”
This visit may open the door for more bilateral meetings, with Egypt’s continued caution given President al-Sharaa’s Islamic background
Mawlana added that “the Egyptian authorities cannot reject what the regional countries—especially the Gulf states, as well as Washington and the Arab League—accept regarding recognizing President al-Sharaa. Thus, this visit may open the door for more bilateral meetings, with Egypt’s continued caution given President al-Sharaa’s Islamic background.”
The Palestinian Cause at the Heart of the Summit
The Cairo summit comes at a critical juncture as Arab leaders seek to formulate a collective response to the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and counter controversial international proposals. One of the summit’s key objectives is to reject the plan proposed by US President Donald Trump, which suggested placing Gaza under American administration and relocating its Palestinian residents to other countries.
The proposal was met with widespread condemnation across the Arab world, with Palestinian officials denouncing it as an attempt to erase Palestinian identity. Meanwhile, Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu welcomed the idea, stating on Monday: “It is time to grant Gaza’s residents the freedom to leave.”
Such remarks only intensified Arab opposition to the plan, with leaders like el-Sisi and al-Sharaa emphasizing the need for a Palestinian-led solution that guarantees Palestinians the right to remain in their homeland.
The Cost of War: Gaza’s Devastation and the Path to Reconstruction
The recent conflict, triggered by Hamas’ attack on Israel on October 7, 2023, inflicted catastrophic damage on Gaza’s infrastructure, displacing hundreds of thousands of people and decimating entire neighborhoods. According to United Nations estimates, the cost of rebuilding Gaza exceeds $53 billion, making international and regional support essential for the enclave’s recovery.
The summit’s agenda includes discussions on creating an Arab Reconstruction Fund for Gaza, with contributions from Gulf states, North African nations, and international partners. Syria has expressed its willingness to contribute expertise and resources to the rebuilding efforts, viewing Gaza’s reconstruction as both a moral and political duty.
A New Chapter for Syria and the Arab World?
Al-Sharaa’s visit to Cairo and Syria’s active participation in the summit signal a potential turning point for Syrian-Arab relations. After years of diplomatic isolation, Syria’s presence at the highest levels of Arab diplomacy reflects a growing consensus that regional stability requires Arab unity—and that Syria, despite its turbulent past, remains a key player in the Arab political landscape.
As the summit progresses, all eyes will be on al-Sharaa’s speech and the bilateral meetings that follow. Many hope this visit will not only strengthen Syrian-Egyptian ties but also contribute to a renewed spirit of Arab solidarity in the face of mounting regional and global challenges.
The coming days may well determine whether this visit marks the beginning of a lasting Syrian diplomatic resurgence—or simply a fleeting moment of reconciliation in an ever-shifting regional landscape.
