France, Germany, Italy, and UK support Arab-led Gaza rebuilding plan

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and Britain announced their support on Saturday for an Arab-backed initiative to rebuild Gaza, a project estimated to cost $53 billion, according to Reuters.

In a joint statement, the ministers described the plan as "a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza" that, if implemented, would bring "swift and sustainable improvements" to the dire living conditions of Palestinians in the region.

The proposal, developed by Egypt and endorsed by Arab leaders earlier in the week, serves as an alternative to the U.S.-backed plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Trump’s vision, which aimed to turn Gaza into a "Middle East Riviera," was widely rejected by Arab nations due to its provisions for U.S. oversight and the potential relocation of Gazan residents to neighboring countries like Egypt and Jordan.

Under the Egyptian plan, an independent committee of Palestinian Arab technocrats would be established to govern Gaza temporarily after the conflict between Israel and Hamas. This body would be responsible for managing humanitarian aid and overseeing governance, operating under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority.

The European ministers reaffirmed their commitment to working alongside Arab partners on the initiative, highlighting the "important signal" it sends regarding regional cooperation and post-war recovery efforts.