Europe Supports Arab-Backed Plan for Gaza Reconstruction Amid Tensions

On Saturday, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and Britain expressed their support for a $53 billion Arab-backed plan to reconstruct Gaza. The proposal, developed by Egypt and adopted by Arab leaders earlier this week, aims to improve the living conditions of Palestinians in Gaza without displacing them. The European ministers emphasized that the plan provides a "realistic path" for Gaza’s reconstruction, with promises of swift and sustainable improvements for the people living in the region.

The joint statement from the European countries highlighted the importance of this initiative in addressing the humanitarian crisis in Gaza. They also acknowledged the "important signal" sent by Arab states in presenting the plan, expressing commitment to working with this Arab-led initiative. However, the plan has faced rejection from Israel and US President Donald Trump, who have both put forward their own visions for Gaza's future.

The Egyptian proposal suggests creating an independent administrative committee led by Palestinian technocrats to oversee the governance of Gaza post-conflict. This committee would manage humanitarian aid and oversee Gaza’s affairs temporarily under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority.

In response, the four European countries also stated their position on Hamas, declaring that Hamas must not govern Gaza nor continue to pose a threat to Israel. They reaffirmed their support for the Palestinian Authority and its reform agenda, noting that peace and stability in Gaza depend on the central role of the Palestinian Authority in governance.

Meanwhile, Israel is moving forward with hostage negotiations, with plans to send a delegation to Doha led by senior officials from Israel’s security agencies. This delegation aims to advance efforts related to hostages held by Hamas, a topic that remains central to ongoing diplomatic efforts in the region.

In stark contrast to the European stance, former US President Donald Trump issued a "final warning" to Hamas this week, threatening severe consequences if they do not comply with US demands, and calling for the immediate release of all hostages and the return of the bodies of those killed by Hamas.