France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom have jointly endorsed an Arab-backed initiative to reconstruct the Gaza Strip, viewing it as a viable pathway to improve living conditions for Palestinians without necessitating displacement.
The proposal, crafted by Egypt and supported by the Arab League, outlines the establishment of an administrative committee composed of Palestinian technocrats to govern Gaza.
This committee would operate under the temporary supervision of the Palestinian Authority (PA) and oversee the distribution of humanitarian aid. Notably, the plan excludes any governing role for Hamas, the militant group currently controlling Gaza.
The foreign ministers of the four European nations emphasized their commitment to this initiative, stating, “We are clear that Hamas must neither govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel any more.” They underscored the necessity of the PA’s central role and reform agenda in the reconstruction efforts.
This endorsement comes amid widespread rejection of U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal to relocate Gaza’s Palestinian population—a plan labeled as “ethnic cleansing” and a “crime against humanity” by foreign ministers from Muslim-majority nations during an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Saudi Arabia.
The European ministers also reiterated the importance of ensuring unimpeded humanitarian aid access to Gaza, urging all parties to maintain the ceasefire to facilitate the aid process.
The Arab-led reconstruction plan is estimated to require $53 billion to address the extensive damage resulting from the recent conflict.
The international community’s support is deemed crucial for the successful implementation of this initiative, aiming to bring lasting peace and stability to the region.
