‘The Egyptian Solution’: Israeli Opposition Leader Yair Lapid Unveils Peace Plan for Gaza

Latest Developments

• Enabling Israel to ‘Divorce’ Itself From Gaza: Yair Lapid, Israel’s former prime minister and currently the leader of the parliamentary opposition in the Knesset, unveiled his plan for the future of Gaza at a packed event held at the Foundation for Defense of Democracies headquarters in Washington on February 25. Titled “The Egyptian Solution,” Lapid presented his plan as a framework for maintaining security on Israel’s southern border, enabling the reconstruction of Gaza with the Iran-backed Hamas terror organization removed from power, and centering these efforts on temporary Egyptian guardianship of the coastal enclave. Ultimately, the plan would pave the way for the deradicalization of Gaza’s population, allowing Israel to “divorce” itself from the territory. “Down the road, 10 years from now, the best solution is for Israel to separate from the Palestinians in a way that contributes to Israel’s security,” Lapid emphasized.
• ‘A Crucial Player in the Region’: Under Lapid’s proposal, Egypt would assume responsibility for Gaza for a period of eight to 15 years once the measures under the current ceasefire agreement have been implemented. Pointing to Egypt’s historically close connections with Gaza, including a period of rule between 1948 and 1967, Lapid argued that there are powerful financial and political incentives for Cairo to take on the role. Egypt’s foreign external debt of $155 billion, which has brought the country to the brink of economic collapse, would be paid off by the international community and by regional allies. In return, Egypt would head a regional peace force that would provide governance and launch the process of rebuilding Gaza. “Egypt is a key strategic partner and a reliable ally for almost 50 years,” Lapid stated. “A strong, moderate, pragmatic Sunni state, a crucial player in the region.”
• Answering the ‘Three Big Questions the Region Is Asking’: Lapid asserted that Egypt’s proposed role would enable Israel to disengage from Gaza without the looming threat of another Hamas invasion that could repeat the atrocities of October 7, 2023. During its guardianship, Egypt would supervise the demilitarization of Gaza and the prevention of weapons smuggling while enabling residents of Gaza to travel abroad. “The situation whereby a terrorist organization controls a country or territory and leaves it for others to manage the civilian affairs — like Hezbollah in Lebanon — is unacceptable,” he declared. Acknowledging that “there is no perfect solution,” he underlined that the “Egyptian solution” addresses “the three big questions the region is asking: Who will manage Gaza? How do we ensure Gaza doesn’t end hopes of normalization between Israel and the Saudis and the creation of [an] anti-Iran coalition? How do we ensure the stability of Egypt and its continued role as a security partner and strategic ally?” Additionally, the plan would not “rule out that Egypt, together with Saudis and the Abraham Accord countries, will look into a gradual integration of the Palestinian Authority in the management of Gaza. But that must be done in coordination with Israel and the United States, and with a constant focus on Israel’s security needs.”

FDD Expert Response 

“Lapid’s plan puts real meat on the bones to address core concerns about Gaza as expressed by President Trump and the international community. The plan safeguards Israel’s southern border, removes Hamas from power, and provides Gaza with needed governance. Hamas’s brutality has shattered a long-held belief of mine and so many: there will be no two-state solution. As such, it is smart to engage Egypt together with the Abraham Accords nations to provide governance and reconstruction efforts as Gaza emerges from nearly two decades of uninterrupted terrorist rule. This plan will provide a framework for the most urgent task of all — deradicalizing the Palestinian population and preparing them for a new era in which Israel’s existence is no longer questioned.” — Mark Dubowitz, FDD CEO

“After two decades of a failed security paradigm and 16 months of war in Gaza, it is a positive development to see different plans for a new horizon. The United States, Israel, and Arab states will have to work together towards an arrangement; it makes sense to get all the ideas on the table to begin drafting a new framework.”— Enia Krivine, Senior Director of FDD’s Israel Program and National Security Network

“Yair Lapid’s proposal presents a comprehensive day-after plan that shifts the responsibility for Gaza away from Israel. Putting Egypt in charge is the best among a list of bad options, yet several concerns remain. For this plan to succeed, Cairo must commit to clear operational standards within Gaza and cooperate with Israel to uncover and dismantle any remaining tunnels. This is an opportunity for Egypt to assert itself as a problem-solver, domestically, regionally, and internationally.” — Mariam Wahba, Research Analyst

FDD Background and Analysis

“The Day After: Yair Lapid’s Vision for a Peaceful Middle East,” FDD Event

“Hamas Backtracks on Senior Official’s Statements Regretting Consequences of 2023 Assault on Israel,” FDD Flash Brief

“‘Neither Hamas nor the Palestinian Authority:’ Netanyahu Rejects Reports of Gaza Power Transfer,” FDD Flash Brief

“Egypt’s Gaza Dilemma,” by Jonathan Schanzer