France, Germany, Italy and UK support Arab plan for Gaza reconstruction

The Arab initiative for Gaza includes two phases and an investment of $53 billion. European foreign ministers praise the initiative and call for an end to Hamas control over the Strip

‘We, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, welcome the Arab initiative for a recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza. The plan sets out a realistic path for the reconstruction of Gaza and promises – if implemented – a rapid and sustainable improvement in the catastrophic living conditions of Palestinians living in Gaza.’ This is stated in a joint statement by the heads of diplomacy of the four European countries, including Foreign Minister Antonio Tajani, in which they emphasise that ‘recovery and reconstruction efforts must be based on a solid political and security framework acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians, which guarantees long-term peace and security’.

‘We clearly reiterate that Hamas must no longer rule Gaza or be a threat to Israel. We explicitly support the central role of the Palestinian Authority and the implementation of its reform agenda,’ the four foreign ministers continued, praising “the serious efforts of all parties involved” and appreciating ’the important signal that the Arab states have sent by jointly developing this recovery and reconstruction plan.’

‘We are committed to working in support of the Arab initiative, the Palestinians and Israel to jointly address these issues, including security and governance. We urge all parties to work on the merits of the plan as a starting point,’ they conclude.

Envisaging two phases and an investment of 53 billion dollars, the plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip presented during the Arab League’s emergency summit in Cairo is an alternative to the one envisaged by US President Donald Trump. This was reported by the Arab media underlining that, for the Arab leaders, the reconstruction of Gaza should take at least four and a half years. Starting with a temporary ceasefire during which ‘’confidence-building measures‘’ will be ‘’taken‘’ and while Egypt and Jordan will provide training to the Palestinian police in preparation for its deployment in the Gaza Strip.

According to the details of the draft Egyptian plan released by the Qatari channel Al-Arabi, in addition to the allocation of 53 billion dollars for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, the establishment of a temporary committee for the management of the enclave for a period of six months is envisaged. A transitional phase, precisely, in preparation for the return of the Palestinian National Authority (PNA) to Gaza. During the temporary cease-fire, direct negotiations between Israel and the Palestinians will begin with a view to a two-state solution. Indeed, the Arab plan states that the Palestinians have the right to an independent state coexisting alongside the state of Israel. ‘The two-state solution will open the door to relations between the countries of the region and Israel,’ it reads.

The Arab plan also opens up the possibility of the UN Security Council considering sending international forces to Gaza. According to the leaks, the committee in the Gaza Strip would be composed of independent personalities, would exclude members of Palestinian terrorist organisations, and would operate under the authority of the Palestinian National Authority government in Ramallah. In addition, temporary housing for 1.5 million Palestinians would be provided in seven areas in the Gaza Strip, in contrast to the mass displacement plan envisioned by Trump.

The Al-Arabiya broadcaster explained that the first phase of the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip is expected to last two years, at a cost of about $20 billion. The second phase, on the other hand, would last two and a half years and cost about $30 billion. Most of the money is needed to renovate residents’ homes, the broadcaster points out. The temporary committee will work to collect the support and money needed for the reconstruction and an internationally supervised trust fund will be established to which the funds will be transferred, Arab media write.

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