British Foreign Secretary David Lammy and European counterparts support a $53 billion Egyptian plan for Gaza’s reconstruction that aims to avoid displacing Palestinians. However, Israel and the US have rejected the proposal. Hamas sees positive signs for the continuation of ceasefire talks, while Muslim nations have condemned plans for displacement as violations of international law.
British Foreign Secretary David Lammy, along with his counterparts from France, Germany, and Italy, has expressed support for a $53 billion plan developed by Egypt for rebuilding Gaza. This initiative, endorsed by Arab leaders, aims to restore Gaza without displacing its Palestinian population. However, the proposal has faced rejection from both Israel and the United States.
The Egyptian plan outlines the establishment of an administrative committee featuring independent Palestinian technocrats to govern Gaza temporarily after the conflict. This committee would oversee the distribution of humanitarian aid and manage Gaza’s affairs under the Palestinian Authority’s supervision. The European ministers emphasized that Hamas must not govern Gaza or pose a threat to Israel, expressing support for the Palestinian Authority’s role and its reform agenda.
In contrast, foreign ministers from Muslim countries rejected President Donald Trump’s calls to displace the Palestinian population, denouncing those proposals as a violation of international law. This occurred during a special session of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) in Jeddah, addressing the ongoing situation in Gaza amidst a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas.
The ceasefire, established in mid-January, marked a halt to military operations in Gaza, following Hamas’s attack on Israel. This first phase led to the release of 25 Israeli hostages in exchange for nearly 2,000 Palestinian prisoners. The subsequent phase aimed at further negotiations and peace has now encountered significant uncertainty, jeopardizing the prospects for a lasting resolution.
The European foreign ministers’ endorsement of the Egyptian plan marks a critical step toward the reconstruction of Gaza while ensuring the safety of its Palestinian residents. The dismissal of alternative proposals that seek to displace the population emphasizes the international consensus against ethnic cleansing. The fragile ceasefire, crucial for future negotiations, highlights the complexities and urgent need for a sustainable resolution in the region.
Original Source: news.sky.com
