Europe supports Arab countries' plan for Gaza's reconstruction

Europe's leading countries have expressed support for the proposed 53 billion dollar (41 billion pound) plan by Arab countries for the reconstruction of Gaza. This plan emphasizes not forcibly removing Gaza's residents from the territory. Formulated by Egypt and approved by Arab leaders, the plan has been rejected by Israel and US President Donald Trump, who have presented their own vision of turning the Gaza Strip into the "Riviera of the Middle East".

On Saturday, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and Britain welcomed the plan as "realistic". The plan calls for the reconstruction of Gaza within five years. In a statement, they said this proposal promises a "rapid and sustainable improvement" in the horrific living conditions of the people of Gaza. The plan also calls for Gaza to be temporarily administered by a committee of independent experts and for international peacekeepers to be deployed in the territory.

This committee will be responsible for supervising humanitarian aid and temporarily managing the affairs of Gaza under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority. This proposal has emerged as an alternative to US President Trump's idea of occupying Gaza and resettling its residents. When Egypt presented this at an emergency summit of the Arab League, both the Palestinian Authority and Hamas welcomed it.

However, both the White House and Israel's Ministry of Foreign Affairs said that it failed to address the reality of Gaza. "Residents cannot live humanely in an area covered in rubble and unexploded ordnance," said Brian Hughes, spokesperson for Trump's National Security Council. He further added, "President Trump stands by his vision for rebuilding a Hamas-free Gaza."

In the statement issued by the four European countries on Saturday, it was stated that they are "committed to working with the Arab initiative" and they praised the "important signal" sent by the Arab states. The statement further added that Hamas "cannot govern Gaza or pose any further threat to Israel" and the four countries "support the central role of the Palestinian Authority and the implementation of its reform agenda."

This proposal has been formulated amid concerns that Gaza's fragile ceasefire agreement might break down. Israel has blocked the entry of aid into the territory to pressure Hamas into accepting a new US proposal, under which more hostages held in Gaza would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has demanded that according to the agreement, the second phase should begin, resulting in the end of the war and the complete withdrawal of Israeli troops.

Since Hamas's attack in October 2023, nearly 2.3 million people in Gaza have been forced to leave their homes. Hamas's attack killed about 1,200 people and took over 251 hostages. Israel's military campaign has caused widespread destruction in Gaza, with a massive humanitarian impact. According to the Hamas-run health ministry, Israel's military campaign has killed more than 48,000 Palestinians and airstrikes have destroyed most of the infrastructure across the entire region.