A $53 billion Arab-backed initiative for the reconstruction of Gaza has gained support from France, Germany, Italy, and the U.K., despite facing opposition from the U.S. and Israel.
The foreign ministers stated, “This plan illustrates a realistic path for Gaza’s reconstruction and pledges – if executed – to swiftly and sustainably improve the dire living conditions for Palestinians in Gaza.”
They emphasized the need for a post-war strategy anchored in “a solid political and security framework,” while reiterating that Hamas should not govern Gaza. Furthermore, the European leaders expressed their support for the Palestinian Authority’s (PA) “central role” in a post-war Gaza, along with the implementation of its reform agenda.
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The $53 billion Egyptian plan was proposed as a counter to President Donald Trump’s U.S. takeover concept and follows Cairo’s rejection of the idea to accept displaced Gazans due to “national security” concerns. While Trump’s plan involves relocating Palestinians outside the Strip, Egypt’s proposal centers on Palestinian-led reconstruction efforts.
Both the U.S. and Israel have dismissed the Arab-backed reconstruction plan for Gaza. Israeli Ministry of Foreign Affairs spokesperson Oren Marmorstein remarked that the plan “fails to address the realities following October 7th, 2023, remaining entrenched in outdated views.”
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Marmorstein’s statement also criticized the plan for its dependence on the Palestinian Authority (PA) and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA). He stated that both entities “have consistently shown corruption, support for terrorism, and failure to resolve the issue.”
While U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East Steve Witkoff described the plan as a “good faith first step,” State Department spokesperson Tammy Bruce informed reporters that it “does not meet the requirements or the essence of what President Trump is requesting.”
Moreover, National Security Council spokesperson Brian Hughes expressed concerns regarding the plan in a statement to Fox News Digital.
“The present proposal does not account for the reality that Gaza is currently uninhabitable, with residents unable to live humanely in an area littered with debris and unexploded ordnance. President Trump upholds his vision to rebuild Gaza free from Hamas,” Hughes stated.
Trump faced significant backlash last month after suggesting the U.S. should take control of Gaza during a press conference with Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. His proposal would entail relocating Palestinians and transforming the enclave into the “Riviera of the Middle East.”
