Will Gaza be rebuilt without displacement? Europe sides with Arab nations

The United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy have formally backed an Arab proposal for rebuilding Gaza, rejecting US President Donald Trump’s controversial plan to take control of the territory and relocate its 2.4 million residents. The European nations described the Arab initiative as a “realistic path” toward recovery, aligning themselves with widespread opposition to the US-led vision.

The Arab counterproposal, which prioritizes Gaza’s reconstruction without displacement, has gained momentum after being adopted by the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) at an emergency summit in Jeddah, Saudi Arabia. The 57-member bloc’s endorsement follows the Arab League’s approval of the plan at a recent summit in Cairo.

The OIC urged the international community and key financial institutions to “swiftly provide the necessary support” for Gaza’s recovery, reinforcing regional efforts to establish a long-term solution for the war-torn territory.

Trump’s Gaza Takeover Plan Sparks Global Outrage

Trump’s proposal, which called for a US-led takeover of Gaza and its transformation into a luxury tourist destination dubbed the “Riviera of the Middle East,” provoked fierce backlash from Arab nations and international leaders. His plan also included relocating Gaza’s Palestinian residents to Egypt or Jordan, a suggestion widely condemned as unfeasible and inhumane.

Despite the global criticism, Israeli leaders, including Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, have expressed appreciation for Trump’s continued support of Israel. Netanyahu recently thanked Trump for backing Israel’s stance against Hamas, referring to the militant group as a “monstrous” threat.

European Leaders Reject Displacement, Support Palestinian Authority Control

In a joint statement, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, and Italy affirmed their commitment to the Arab-led reconstruction effort, emphasizing the importance of keeping Gaza’s Palestinian population in place while facilitating economic and infrastructural recovery. The plan also calls for the Palestinian Authority (PA) to regain administrative control of Gaza, ending nearly two decades of Hamas rule.

“We are clear that Hamas must neither govern Gaza nor pose a threat to Israel anymore,” the European ministers stated. “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.”

Egypt Seeks Global Support, US Remains Skeptical

Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty welcomed the OIC’s endorsement, stating that Cairo would push for broader international approval, including from the European Union, the United States, Japan, Russia, and China.

“The next step is for the plan to become an international plan through adoption by the European Union and international parties such as Japan, Russia, China, and others,” Abdelatty said. “This is what we will seek, and we have contact with all parties, including the American party.”

Despite Egypt’s diplomatic push, Washington has not fully embraced the proposal. US State Department spokeswoman Tammy Bruce stated that the plan “does not meet the expectations” of the Biden administration, though Trump’s Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff acknowledged it as a “good-faith first step from the Egyptians.”

Israel and US Maintain Distance from Arab Plan

While European and Arab leaders continue to build momentum behind the Gaza reconstruction effort, Israel has largely dismissed the plan, maintaining its stance that any post-war governance of Gaza must align with Israeli security interests.

With international pressure mounting, the future of Gaza’s reconstruction remains uncertain. The growing support for the Arab proposal signals a shift in diplomatic efforts, but opposition from Israel and the United States presents significant hurdles to its implementation.