Egypt’s top diplomat says his country’s plan to rebuild Gaza after 16 months of war is practical and can be achieved without forcing people to leave.

Badr Abdelatty was speaking after meeting with the Palestinian prime minister days ahead of an Arab summit in Cairo to announce the Egyptian plan. The Israeli military campaign in Gaza has left the enclave in ruins.

"The only guarantee to break the cycle of violence and assaults is for a political horizon to be present and to give hope to the Palestinian people that their legitimate aspirations can be achieved – in establishing an independent state on all of their national soil,” said the foreign minister.