ROME – The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and Britain have thrown their support behind an Arab-backed proposal to rebuild Gaza, a plan estimated to cost US$53 billion and aimed at preventing the displacement of Palestinian residents.
In a joint statement issued on Saturday, the ministers described the initiative as “a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza” and emphasized its potential to swiftly and sustainably improve the dire humanitarian situation in the enclave.
The plan, spearheaded by Egypt and formally endorsed by Arab leaders earlier in the week, envisions the creation of an independent administrative committee composed of professional Palestinian technocrats. This body would be tasked with overseeing aid distribution and managing Gaza’s governance on an interim basis under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority (PA).
However, both Israel and U.S. President Donald Trump have rejected the proposal. Instead, Trump has put forward his own vision for Gaza’s future, branding it a potential “Middle East Riviera,” though details of his plan remain vague.
The European ministers reaffirmed their commitment to collaborating with Arab partners on the reconstruction initiative, calling it a significant step toward stabilizing Gaza. “We support the central role of the Palestinian Authority and the implementation of its reform agenda,” the statement read, adding that “Hamas must neither govern Gaza nor pose a threat to Israel.”
Despite international divisions over Gaza’s post-war administration, the backing from major European powers signals increasing diplomatic engagement in addressing the region’s long-standing challenges.