Sat Mar 08 12:17:38 UTC 2025: ## European Powers Back $53 Billion Gaza Reconstruction Plan
**Rome, March 8, 2025** – France, Germany, Italy, and Britain have voiced their support for a $53 billion Arab-backed plan to rebuild Gaza, rejecting competing proposals from Israel and the United States. The plan, drafted by Egypt and endorsed by Arab leaders earlier this week, aims to improve the dire living conditions in Gaza without displacing Palestinians.
The European ministers issued a joint statement praising the Arab initiative as a realistic path to reconstruction. The plan calls for an independent, professional Palestinian committee to temporarily govern Gaza under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority following the end of hostilities. This committee would oversee humanitarian aid and manage the Strip’s affairs.
Crucially, the European powers stressed that Hamas must relinquish control of Gaza and cease posing a threat to Israel. They emphasized their commitment to supporting the Palestinian Authority’s central role and its reform agenda.
The proposal, however, faces opposition from both Israel and U.S. President Donald Trump, who has put forward an alternative plan.
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