German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Al-Ably-Radovan Continues Her Commitment to the Future of Gaza

SadaNews - Today, German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development Reem Al-Ably-Radovan is visiting the region, which includes Israel, the Palestinian territories, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, continuing her commitment to the future of Gaza and the stability of the entire region.

Minister Al-Ably-Radovan stated the following:

"The situation remains extremely difficult and unbearable: Hamas continues to hold Israeli hostages, and I will be meeting in Tel Aviv with their families, whose suffering leaves a deep impact on us. Although the Israeli government has allowed more humanitarian aid to enter Gaza, it remains entirely insufficient to meet urgent needs. At the same time, Israel continues to destroy the Gaza Strip. In the West Bank and East Jerusalem, Israeli policies aimed at expanding settlements and de facto annexation exacerbate and complicate the situation. Therefore, reaching an immediate ceasefire has become an urgent necessity that cannot be postponed. At the same time, it is essential to start a serious discussion about the future from now, as the peoples of the region need a clear vision and tangible prospects. From my perspective, decisions regarding the future of Gaza cannot be made in any way without the participation of the Palestinians themselves. For this purpose, I am returning to the region to consult with our partners in Ramallah, Amman, and Riyadh, regarding ideas and possibilities for reconstruction and how to effectively utilize existing structures. Once the field conditions allow, I aspire as a Minister of Development to contribute to enabling the people of Gaza to live again with dignity and safety as soon as possible."

The reconstruction of the Gaza Strip will take decades and will require massive resources. Achieving this will not be possible without the concerted efforts of the international community and the contribution of key regional powers such as Jordan and Saudi Arabia. It also requires an equitable distribution of the financial burdens of reconstruction among all parties.
During her visit, Al-Ably-Radovan aims to rally support for this collective effort. In Ramallah, she will meet with Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa, Minister of Social Affairs Dr. Samah Hamad, and Minister of Planning Dr. Stefan Salama. The Minister of Social Affairs is responsible for humanitarian relief and early recovery programs aimed at urgently rehabilitating the destroyed infrastructure and providing essential services that enable life to resume in the Gaza Strip. The Minister of Planning is concerned with establishing a long-term strategic vision for Gaza, which includes creating effective governance under the supervision of the Palestinian Authority. It is clear that Hamas will not have any role in the future of Gaza after the war ends.

In Israel, the minister is conducting talks, among other things, with several family members of the hostages taken by Hamas on October 7, 2023.

In Jordan, the minister is visiting a camp affiliated with the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), where some have been living for the fourth generation. Jordan has received 2.3 million registered Palestinian refugees, in addition to about 1.3 million people from Syria. Jordan is facing significant pressures not only to provide services to refugees and manage crises in neighboring areas but also to deal with a severe water crisis aggravated by ongoing climate change.

In Amman, the minister is holding political discussions with Minister of Planning Zeina Toukan and Deputy Commissioner-General of UNRWA Natalie Bokle, to discuss the situation in Gaza and urgent humanitarian assistance for the population, along with avenues for cooperation in reconstruction efforts. German development cooperation can contribute through its expertise in the reconstruction of Gaza, leveraging its partnership with Jordan in addressing the sharp water crisis the country faces.

In Saudi Arabia, political discussions and exchanges of views are expected to take place with the Saudi Development Fund, which is the Saudi counterpart to the German Development Bank (KfW). Saudi Arabia is a prominent regional power both politically and financially, sharing Germany's concerns related to development issues. Saudi Arabia has already announced its support for the Arab plan for the reconstruction of Gaza, which the German government welcomed as an appropriate starting point. Additionally, Saudi Arabia plays a pivotal role in the reconstruction efforts in Syria.