UK, France, Italy, Germany support Arab-led plan for Gaza reconstruction
A Palestinian child rides a bicycle near a fallen minaret of a destroyed mosque during the Muslim holy fasting month of Ramadan, in the Nuseirat refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on March 7, 2025 (AFP Photo)
The foreign ministers of the United Kingdom, France, Italy, and Germany have expressed strong support for an Arab initiative aimed at the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, emphasizing the plan’s potential to improve living conditions for Palestinians and contribute to regional stability.
Backing for realistic reconstruction path
In a joint statement released on Saturday, the foreign ministers welcomed the Arab-led Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza.
“We, the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the United Kingdom, welcome the Arab initiative of a Recovery and Reconstruction Plan for Gaza. The plan shows a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and promises—if implemented—swift and sustainable improvement of the catastrophic living conditions for the Palestinians living in Gaza,” the statement read.
The ministers highlighted the importance of a structured political and security framework, stating, “Recovery and reconstruction efforts must be based upon a solid political and security framework acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians, which provides long term peace and security for both Israelis and Palestinians alike.”
‘Hamas must not govern Gaza’
The statement also addressed governance issues, “We are clear that Hamas must neither govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel any more. We explicitly support the central role for the Palestinian Authority and the implementation of its reform agenda,” stated.
Appreciation for Arab States’ efforts
“We commend the serious efforts of all involved stakeholders and appreciate the important signal the Arab states have sent by jointly developing this recovery and reconstruction plan,” the statement noted.
“We are committed to working with the Arab initiative, the Palestinians and Israel to address those issues together, including security and governance. We urge all parties to build on the plan’s merits as a starting point,” the statement concluded.
