European Leaders Support $53B Gaza Reconstruction Plan

European Leaders Back Arab Plan to Rebuild Gaza

Key European nations have expressed their support for an ambitious Arab-led plan to rebuild Gaza, a project estimated to cost a staggering $53 billion. The goal is to prevent Palestinians from being left homeless in the region.

The proposal, coordinated by Egypt and approved by Arab leaders, has faced strong opposition from Israel and U.S. President Donald Trump. The American president has suggested transforming Gaza into a "Middle Eastern attraction zone."

On Saturday, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom endorsed the plan, describing it as a "realistic" approach to rebuilding Gaza within a five-year timeframe.

In a joint statement, they highlighted that the initiative promises "swift and sustainable improvements to the dire living conditions" of Gaza’s residents.

The plan recommends a transitional government in Gaza, to be led by an independent committee of experts, while international peacekeepers would be deployed in the region. This committee would oversee humanitarian aid and manage Gaza’s affairs under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority.

Concerns have been raised that fragile ceasefire agreements in Gaza might break down after the first six-week phase of the truce ends on April 1. Israel has suspended aid into Gaza to pressure Hamas into accepting a new U.S. proposal to extend the ceasefire. Under this deal, hostages held in Gaza would be released, and in exchange, Palestinian prisoners would also be freed.

However, Hamas maintains that the second phase of the ceasefire agreement, which is supposed to involve the full withdrawal of Israeli forces, must proceed as agreed.

Israel is sending a delegation to Qatar on Monday to participate in talks aimed at extending the ceasefire agreement, according to the office of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.

It remains unclear when, or if, the second phase of the ceasefire agreement will be implemented.