European Ministers Back $53 Billion Arab Plan for Gaza Reconstruction

Watan-The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and the UK announced on Saturday their support for the Arab plan to rebuild Gaza, which is estimated to cost $53 billion and avoids the displacement of the enclave’s residents.

In a joint statement, the ministers said, “The plan presents a realistic pathway for Gaza’s reconstruction and, if implemented, promises a swift and sustainable improvement in the dire living conditions of Palestinians in Gaza.”

The statement, issued by the four European countries, affirmed their commitment to working with the Arab initiative and praised the “significant signal” sent by the Arab states through its formulation.

The statement also stressed that Hamas should no longer govern Gaza or pose a threat to Israel and reiterated the four countries’ support for the Palestinian Authority’s central role and its reform agenda.

OIC Endorses Arab Plan as Alternative to Trump’s Proposal

Meanwhile, the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) announced on Saturday its adoption of the Arab plan for Gaza’s reconstruction without the forced displacement of Palestinians, presenting it as an alternative to former U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposal.

The OIC’s Council of Foreign Ministers issued a statement confirming the adoption of “the plan presented by Egypt—in full coordination with Palestine and Arab states, based on studies conducted by the World Bank and the UN Development Fund—which was endorsed during the extraordinary Arab summit (Palestine Summit) on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza.”

The council pledged to provide financial, material, and political support for the plan’s implementation.

Additionally, it urged the international community and global financial institutions to swiftly support the initiative, emphasizing that these efforts should align with a political process aimed at achieving a just and lasting solution for the Palestinian people’s aspirations to establish their state and live in peace and security.

Call for an International Reconstruction Conference

The OIC also welcomed the idea of hosting an international conference in Cairo at the earliest opportunity to address Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction. It encouraged the international community to participate in the conference to accelerate Gaza’s rehabilitation following the destruction caused by Israel’s military actions.

The plan includes the creation of a trust fund to manage financial pledges from donor countries and funding institutions, ensuring the effective execution of reconstruction projects.

Firm Rejection of Forced Displacement

The OIC statement categorically rejected any plans for the displacement of Palestinians—whether individually or collectively, within or outside their homeland—through forced expulsion, deportation, or any other means.

It described such actions as ethnic cleansing, a grave violation of international law, and a crime against humanity under the Rome Statute of the International Criminal Court (ICC).

The council also condemned starvation tactics and scorched-earth policies aimed at forcing Palestinians to leave their land.

Egypt’s Proposal and International Reactions

Egypt drafted the reconstruction plan, which was endorsed by Arab leaders earlier this month. However, former U.S. President Donald Trump opposes the initiative.

On Friday, the German government welcomed the adoption of the plan at the extraordinary Arab League summit.

German government spokesperson Steffen Hebestreit expressed Berlin’s support for the Arab League’s proposal, stating that it “contains many good elements that can serve as a basis for future efforts.”

Sebastian Fischer, spokesperson for Germany’s Foreign Ministry, emphasized that the plan represents an important message from the Arab states and contributes to addressing political and security challenges in Gaza, laying the groundwork for lasting peace.

Proposed Governance Structure for Post-War Gaza

The Egyptian proposal envisions the formation of an administrative committee composed of independent Palestinian professionals who would be tasked with governing Gaza after the war ends.

This committee would oversee humanitarian aid and manage Gaza’s affairs temporarily under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority.