European leaders back 'realistic' Arab plan for Gaza

The United Nations has reported that over 90% of homes in Gaza have been either destroyed or damaged. In response to this dire situation, leading nations in the European Union have expressed their support for a reconstruction plan backed by Arab nations. This ambitious plan, which is estimated to cost around $53 billion, aims to rebuild Gaza while ensuring that Palestinians are not displaced from their homes. The plan was developed by Egypt and has received endorsement from various Arab leaders. On Saturday, the foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and Britain praised the plan, describing it as 'realistic. ' They stated that the proposal promises a 'swift and sustainable improvement' to the catastrophic living conditions faced by the people of Gaza. The plan includes provisions for Gaza to be temporarily governed by a committee of independent experts, with international peacekeepers deployed to the region. This committee would oversee the distribution of humanitarian aid and manage Gaza's affairs under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority. This proposal stands in contrast to a previous idea put forth by President Trump, which suggested that the United States take control of Gaza and resettle its population. The Arab-backed plan was presented during an emergency summit of the Arab League on Tuesday. However, both the White House and the Israeli foreign ministry have criticized the plan, stating that it does not adequately address the realities on the ground in Gaza. A spokesperson for Trump's National Security Council remarked that 'residents cannot humanely live in a territory covered in debris and unexploded ordnance. ' The spokesperson also reiterated President Trump's commitment to his vision of rebuilding Gaza free from Hamas. The statement issued by the four European countries on Saturday emphasized their commitment to collaborating with the Arab initiative and acknowledged the 'important signal' sent by Arab states in developing this plan. The statement also asserted that Hamas 'must neither govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel any more' and expressed support for the Palestinian Authority's central role and its reform agenda. This proposal comes amid growing concerns regarding the situation in Gaza, particularly after the first phase of a truce expired on March 1. Israel has blocked aid from entering Gaza in an effort to pressure Hamas into accepting a new US proposal for a temporary extension of the truce, during which more hostages held in Gaza would be released in exchange for Palestinian prisoners. Hamas has insisted that the next phase should commence as agreed, leading to an end to the conflict and a full withdrawal of Israeli troops. Since the onset of hostilities, nearly all of Gaza's 2. 3 million residents have been forced to leave their homes. Israel initiated military operations following a Hamas attack in October 2023, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the abduction of 251 individuals. The humanitarian impact has been devastating, with reports indicating that over 48,000 Palestinians have lost their lives due to Israel's military actions, and extensive infrastructure across the region has been decimated by air strikes. In the Jabalia refugee camp, children are seen gathering to receive food prepared by charity kitchens during the holy month of Ramadan, highlighting the ongoing struggles faced by the people of Gaza.