Prominent European Union nations have officially expressed their support for a comprehensive Arab-led initiative aimed at reconstructing Gaza, which is estimated to cost around $53 billion (£41 billion) and aims to prevent the displacement of Palestinians from the territory.
This plan, formulated by Egypt and backed by various Arab leaders, has faced rejection from both Israel and US President Donald Trump, who has proposed an alternative vision for transforming the Gaza Strip into a “Middle East Riviera.”
European ministers call for a realistic approach
On Saturday, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and Britain welcomed the Arab-backed proposal, describing it as “realistic” and emphasizing its promise of “swift and sustainable improvement of the catastrophic living conditions” faced by the people of Gaza.
The reconstruction plan outlines a temporary governance structure for Gaza, suggesting the establishment of a committee comprised of independent experts. This committee is intended to oversee humanitarian aid and manage Gaza’s affairs under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority. Additionally, the proposal includes the deployment of international peacekeepers to ensure stability in the region.
“Residents cannot humanely live in a territory covered in debris and unexploded ordnance,”
said Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for Trump’s National Security Council, who reiterated the administration’s commitment to a different approach. The US vision aims for the reconstruction of Gaza free from Hamas control.
Mixed responses and ongoing challenges
The Arab initiative has garnered support from both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas following its introduction at an emergency Arab League summit earlier this week. However, officials from the White House and the Israeli foreign ministry criticized the plan for not adequately addressing the realities on the ground in Gaza.
The statement released by the European ministers underscored their commitment to collaborating with the Arab initiative, highlighting the “important signal” sent by Arab states in developing this proposal. It also emphasized that Hamas “must neither govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel any more” and reaffirmed support for the central role of the Palestinian Authority and its reform agenda.
This proposal emerges amidst rising fears that Gaza’s fragile ceasefire could unravel, particularly after the expiration of its initial six-week phase on March 1. In an effort to compel Hamas to consider a new US proposal for a temporary extension of the truce, Israel has been restricting aid to the territory. The proposed extension would involve releasing more hostages held in Gaza in exchange for Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas has insisted on the need for the second phase of the ceasefire to commence as initially agreed, advocating for an end to hostilities and the complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.
Since the outbreak of conflict, nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been forced to evacuate their homes. Israel’s military operations commenced following a Hamas attack in October 2023 that resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals. The humanitarian toll in Gaza has been catastrophic, with reports indicating that over 48,000 Palestinians have died due to the ongoing military actions, while extensive destruction of infrastructure has occurred as a result of airstrikes.