European leaders are backing a $53 billion Arab-led initiative for Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction—a plan previously dismissed by both the United States and Israel.
The foreign ministers of France, the UK, Italy, and Germany released a joint statement in support of the proposal, which was drafted by Egypt and is set to be adopted by Arab leaders at an emergency summit on Tuesday.
Touted as a pragmatic path forward, the plan aims to swiftly and sustainably improve living conditions for Palestinians in Gaza. While a similar initiative was rejected in the past, the EU’s alignment with Arab nations marks a significant shift.
European officials have emphasized that Hamas will not govern Gaza or pose a threat to Israel under the plan. Instead, a newly proposed committee, operating under the Palestinian Authority’s supervision, would oversee humanitarian aid distribution and manage the region’s affairs.
