European leaders are lining up behind an Arab-backed proposal to rebuild Gaza. The $53 billion plan, spearheaded by Egypt and endorsed by Arab states, aims to restore the war-torn territory without forcing Palestinian displacement. Israel and Donald Trump aren’t buying it.
Trump has his own vision—a flashy “Middle East Riviera” plan that would reshape Gaza under U.S. oversight. While the Arab version focuses on humanitarian aid and temporary governance by experts, Trump wants Hamas out for good and a total reset. The White House and Israel argue the Arab proposal ignores the harsh realities on the ground.
On Saturday, foreign ministers from France, Germany, Italy, and Britain threw their support behind the Arab initiative. Calling it “realistic,” they praised the plan’s promise to improve dire living conditions in Gaza. They also backed a central role for the Palestinian Authority—if it reforms.
The plan would place Gaza under an interim committee of independent experts. International peacekeepers would be deployed to maintain stability. The Palestinian Authority would oversee operations, but only temporarily.
Hamas and the Palestinian Authority welcomed the idea when it was introduced at an emergency Arab League summit. They see it as an alternative to Trump’s proposal, which involves the U.S. stepping in and relocating Gaza’s population. But Israel and the White House aren’t convinced.
Trump’s National Security Council didn’t mince words. Spokesman Brian Hughes dismissed the Arab-backed plan, saying Gaza’s infrastructure is in ruins and “residents cannot humanely live in a territory covered in debris and unexploded ordnance.” Trump insists his approach will rebuild Gaza without Hamas in the picture.
Meanwhile, Israel is using aid restrictions as leverage. With a shaky ceasefire hanging by a thread, Israeli officials are blocking assistance to Gaza, hoping to pressure Hamas into accepting a U.S.-backed temporary truce. Under the American plan, more hostages would be exchanged for Palestinian prisoners.
Hamas isn’t budging. They want the second phase of the ceasefire to proceed, leading to a complete Israeli withdrawal and an official end to the war. But without a clear path forward, the region remains a powder keg waiting to ignite—again.
Five Fast Facts
- Gaza’s reconstruction is estimated to take at least a decade, even with full funding.
- France has long advocated for an international peacekeeping force in Gaza, but Israel has consistently opposed it.
- Donald Trump’s vision for Gaza includes luxury resorts, modeled after Dubai’s coastline.
- The Palestinian Authority has struggled with internal corruption, making its proposed governance of Gaza controversial.
- Israel has previously conducted airstrikes targeting Hamas leaders hiding in underground tunnel networks beneath Gaza.
