Leading European nations have expressed support for an Arab-backed plan aimed at rebuilding Gaza, a proposal that would cost $53 billion (£41 billion) and avoid displacing Palestinians from the region. The initiative, formulated by Egypt and endorsed by Arab leaders, has been met with opposition from both Israel and US President Donald Trump, who has put forward his own vision for Gaza’s future.
On Saturday, foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy, and Britain issued a joint statement welcoming the Arab plan as “realistic.” The proposal, which calls for Gaza to be rebuilt over a five-year period, aims to bring about a “swift and sustainable improvement” to the “catastrophic living conditions” faced by the region’s population. The European nations reaffirmed their commitment to work with the Arab initiative, praising the important signal sent by the Arab states in crafting the plan.
The reconstruction plan calls for Gaza to be temporarily governed by a committee of independent experts, with the Palestinian Authority (PA) overseeing its administration. The proposal also includes the deployment of international peacekeepers to ensure stability in the region. This plan contrasts with Trump’s vision, which includes transforming Gaza into a “Middle East Riviera” and proposes the resettlement of Gaza’s population.
The Palestinian Authority and Hamas, which governs the Gaza Strip, have both expressed support for the Arab-backed proposal. However, the White House and Israel’s foreign ministry rejected it, with US officials saying it fails to address the realities of Gaza’s situation. Brian Hughes, a spokesperson for the US National Security Council, stated that “residents cannot humanely live in a territory covered in debris and unexploded ordnance.” He reiterated that President Trump’s plan to rebuild Gaza free from Hamas remained the US priority.
The European ministers’ statement also made clear that Hamas must no longer govern Gaza or pose a threat to Israel. They reiterated their support for the Palestinian Authority, emphasizing the need for reforms and its central role in governing Gaza.
The announcement of the plan follows concerns over the collapse of Gaza’s fragile ceasefire agreement, which expired on March 1 after six weeks. Since the ceasefire’s expiration, Israel has blocked aid from entering Gaza, attempting to pressure Hamas into accepting a new US proposal for a temporary truce extension. However, Hamas insists that the war must end and Israeli forces should fully withdraw from Gaza.
Since the beginning of hostilities, nearly all of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents have been displaced. Israel launched military operations in response to a deadly Hamas attack in October 2023, which left 1,200 Israelis dead and saw over 250 people taken hostage. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, more than 48,000 Palestinians have been killed during the ongoing conflict, with much of Gaza’s infrastructure reduced to rubble due to airstrikes.
