British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and European counterparts support a $53bn Egyptian plan for reconstructing Gaza, which avoids displacing Palestinians. The plan has been rejected by Israel and the U.S. Muslim nations oppose any efforts to remove Palestinians from Gaza, emphasizing adherence to international law. The ongoing ceasefire’s future is uncertain as negotiations continue.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and his counterparts from France, Germany, and Italy have expressed support for an Egyptian plan aimed at reconstructing Gaza, which seeks to avoid the displacement of Palestinian residents. The $53 billion scheme, crafted by Egypt and endorsed by Arab leaders, has faced rejection from both Israel and the United States.
In a recent joint statement, the European ministers emphasized that the plan represents a viable pathway to improving the dire living conditions in Gaza. They underscored their commitment to collaborating with the Arab initiative, recognizing the significance of the Arab leaders’ involvement in the proposal.
The initiative proposes establishing an administrative committee consisting of independent Palestinian technocrats to oversee Gaza’s governance post-conflict, under temporary Palestinian Authority supervision. This committee would be charged with managing humanitarian aid and Gaza’s affairs, reinforcing the need for Hamas to relinquish governance to the Palestinian Authority.
During a special meeting of the Organization of Islamic Cooperation in Jeddah, foreign ministers from various Muslim nations voiced their rejection of any plans that intend to remove Palestinians from Gaza. They condemned such proposals as ethnic cleansing and violations of international law, thereby reaffirming their support for the Egyptian reconstruction plan.
The ongoing ceasefire, established in mid-January, has halted Israeli military operations in Gaza, following Hamas’ attack on October 7. The first phase of this ceasefire resulted in hostages exchanged, although the future stages and the complete Israeli withdrawal from Gaza remain uncertain amid persisting tensions.
The Egyptian-led reconstruction plan for Gaza has garnered significant backing from European foreign ministers, highlighting its potential to address the humanitarian crises faced by Palestinians. The proposed administrative committee under Palestinian Authority oversight indicates a shift towards a more stable governance structure after the conflict. However, challenges remain, particularly in relation to ongoing ceasefire negotiations and the broader geopolitical landscape, including significant opposition from Israel and the United States.
Original Source: news.sky.com
