European Leaders Endorse Arab Plan for Gaza Reconstruction Amid Ongoing Conflict

In light of the devastation in Gaza, European leaders are rallying behind an Arab-supported reconstruction plan valued at $53 billion. This initiative aims to assist the Palestinian population while navigating complex political tensions and ongoing conflict between Israel and Hamas.

Leading European nations have expressed their support for a comprehensive Arab-backed plan aimed at the reconstruction of Gaza, estimated to cost $53 billion (£41 billion). The initiative, crafted by Egypt and endorsed by various Arab leaders, seeks to rebuild the territory without displacing its Palestinian inhabitants. Despite the robust backing from France, Germany, Italy, and Britain, the plan has faced skepticism from Israel and US President Donald Trump, who has proposed an alternative vision to transform Gaza into a "Middle East Riviera."

The foreign ministers of the four nations characterized the reconstruction plan as "realistic," highlighting that it offers a pathway toward "swift and sustainable improvement of catastrophic living conditions" for those residing in Gaza. Central to the proposal is the governance of Gaza by a temporary committee of independent experts, who would oversee humanitarian aid and the region’s affairs under the watch of the Palestinian Authority, complemented by the deployment of international peacekeepers.

With concerns growing about the potential for the fragile ceasefire to deteriorate following its initial six-week phase, Israel is currently blocking aid to Gaza as a means of pressuring Hamas to accept a new US proposition for an extension of the truce. In this proposed extension, negotiations would occur regarding the release of hostages in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Yet, Hamas insists on adhering to the originally agreed terms of the ceasefire—including a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces.

The Arab-backed proposal represents a significant departure from Trump’s vision, which suggests a more unilateral approach to annexing and resettling parts of Gaza. It was introduced during an urgent summit of the Arab League, receiving support from both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas. However, the White House and Israel have dismissed it, arguing it does not sufficiently address the dire situation faced by residents of Gaza.

Spokesperson for Trump's National Security Council, Brian Hughes, expressed skepticism about the feasibility of the plan, contending that "residents cannot humanely live in a territory covered in debris and unexploded ordnance." He asserted that Trump remains committed to his strategy of liberating Gaza from Hamas.

The European nations’ statement reaffirmed their dedication to working collaboratively with the Arab initiative while sending a clear message regarding Hamas's role: they must not govern Gaza nor pose a threat to Israel. The ongoing conflict has severely impacted Gaza, where nearly all of its 2.3 million residents have been displaced amid hostilities sparked by Hamas’s assault in October 2023, which yielded devastating casualties and substantial infrastructural damage. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, over 48,000 Palestinians have died during the conflict, underscoring a humanitarian crisis that necessitates urgent attention.