Major European powers endorse Arab-led Gaza reconstruction plan

Four of Europe’s most influential nations—Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy—issued a joint statement on Saturday expressing their support for the Arab-led reconstruction plan for Gaza. This initiative, aimed at addressing the dire living conditions of the 2.4 million inhabitants of the war-torn enclave, was characterized by European foreign ministers as “a realistic path toward rebuilding Gaza.”

In a statement released in Berlin, the ministers emphasized that if executed as proposed, the plan could lead to “rapid and sustainable improvement” for the Palestinians living in Gaza. However, the statement also made it clear that there are governance concerns, noting, “It is clear to us that Hamas must no longer govern Gaza or pose a threat to Israel.”

The European powers acknowledged the collaborative efforts of Arab states in formulating this recovery plan, viewing it as a significant signal of unity among stakeholders. The ministers reiterated their commitment to engaging with the Arab initiative, as well as with Palestinian and Israeli authorities, to address critical issues surrounding security and governance.

This endorsement from Europe follows the Organization of Islamic Cooperation's (OIC) formal adoption of the reconstruction initiative, which seeks to provide a viable alternative to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial plan. Trump's approach aimed at taking over control of Gaza and displacing its residents has faced widespread criticism.

Developed by Egypt, the Arab proposal seeks to rebuild Gaza, which has suffered extensive devastation over the past 15 months, while ensuring that its current residents are not displaced. Despite this, Israel has dismissed the proposal, and it has also faced skepticism from the United States. Nonetheless, Trump’s Middle East Envoy, Steve Witkoff, described the plan as a “good-faith first step.”

The European endorsement marks a pivotal moment in international diplomatic efforts to address the humanitarian crisis in Gaza and lays the groundwork for potential long-term stability in the region.