European Nations Welcome Arab Plan for Gaza Reconstruction as a Realistic Path Forward
Germany, France, the UK, and Italy welcomed the Arab reconstruction plan for Gaza, urging its implementation to improve Palestinians' living conditions. Excluding Hamas, it aims to restore the Palestinian Authority's governance. Despite Israeli rejection and U.S. criticism, the initiative seeks global support for humanitarian aid and stability after prolonged conflict.
hassan benyoub 
Berlin – March 08, 2025
Germany, France, the United Kingdom, and Italy jointly “welcomed” the Arab plan for Gaza’s reconstruction on Saturday, describing it as “a realistic path toward rebuilding Gaza” in a collective statement. The announcement from the foreign ministers of these European powers, released in Berlin, signals growing international support for the initiative amid escalating tensions over competing visions for the war-torn region.
A Plan for Rapid Improvement
The European ministers emphasized that, “if implemented,” the Arab plan could deliver “a rapid and lasting improvement to the catastrophic living conditions of Palestinians in Gaza.” The initiative, formally adopted by the Organization of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) earlier this week, stands in opposition to U.S. President Donald Trump’s controversial proposal to seize control of Palestinian territories and displace their 2.4 million inhabitants.
Crafted by Egypt, the Arab plan focuses on reconstructing Gaza—devastated by 15 months of conflict between Israel and Hamas—without uprooting its population. The OIC, representing the Muslim world, has urged the international community and regional financial institutions to provide swift backing for the effort.
Sidelining Hamas, Restoring Palestinian Authority
A key feature of the plan is its exclusion of Hamas, the Islamist movement that has governed Gaza since ousting the Palestinian Authority in 2007. Instead, it envisions the Authority’s return to manage the enclave’s recovery. “It is clear to us that Hamas must no longer govern Gaza nor pose a threat to Israel,” the European ministers stated, aligning their stance with the plan’s framework.
Despite this support, the proposal has faced resistance. Israel has rejected it outright, while the United States has criticized it, with officials claiming it falls short of Washington’s expectations.
Europe Praises Arab Leadership
The joint statement praised the “serious efforts of all stakeholders involved” and highlighted the “important signal” sent by Arab states in collaboratively developing the plan. “We welcome the leadership shown by the Arab initiative and value its focus on recovery and reconstruction,” the ministers noted. They also committed to working with Arab leaders, Palestinians, and Israel to address critical issues, including security and governance, in a cooperative manner.
A Counter to Trump’s Vision
The European endorsement comes as a direct counterpoint to Trump’s widely criticized suggestion to expel Gaza’s residents and transform the area into a luxury destination. The Arab plan, bolstered by the OIC and now key European nations, seeks to rally global support for an alternative that prioritizes humanitarian relief and stability over displacement.
As the international community weighs in, the Arab initiative’s success will hinge on overcoming Israeli opposition and securing broader backing from powers like the EU, Japan, Russia, and China—a goal Egypt has already set in motion.
For the latest on European support for the Gaza plan, updates on U.S.-Arab tensions, and the future of Gaza’s reconstruction, stay tuned.
