European Countries Applaud the Arab Plan for the Reconstruction of Gaza

On Saturday, Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy “applauded” the Arab plan for Gaza, which presents “a realistic path toward the reconstruction of Gaza,” in a joint statement.

According to the statement issued by the foreign ministers of these countries in Berlin, “If implemented,” this plan promises “a rapid and sustainable improvement in the catastrophic living conditions of Palestinians living in Gaza.”

This statement comes after the formal adoption of the Arab plan by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC). The Arab initiative is a response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s plan to take control of the Palestinian territories and expel their inhabitants.

The OIC, which represents the Islamic world, had called on “the international community and international and regional financial institutions to quickly provide the necessary support for this plan.”

Prepared by Egypt, the plan aims to rebuild the Gaza Strip, which was devastated by 15 months of war between Israel and Hamas, without displacing its 2.4 million residents.

The plan effectively sidelines Hamas and anticipates the return of the Palestinian Authority, which was expelled from Gaza in 2007 by the Palestinian Islamic movement.

However, the plan has been rejected by Israel and criticized by the United States.

The European ministers emphasized, “It is clear to us that Hamas must no longer govern Gaza or pose a threat to Israel.”

They added, “We commend the serious efforts of all stakeholders involved and appreciate the important signal sent by Arab states by jointly developing this recovery and reconstruction plan.”

The ministers also pledged “to work with the Arab initiative, the Palestinians, and Israel to address these issues together, including security and governance.”

About محمد الفاسي