High-Level International Meeting on Gaza Reconstruction Led by Egypt, Germany, the United Nations, and Palestine

SadaNews - Led by Egypt, Germany, the United Nations, and Palestine, with representatives from over 30 countries participating, a high-level international briefing session was held at the United Nations headquarters on Monday evening. The session included Prime Minister Dr. Mohamed Mustafa via video connection from his office in Ramallah, to follow up on the preparations for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip immediately after the cessation of aggression, and to discuss the political and technical aspects of implementing the Arab reconstruction plan, unifying positions during this critical phase, and benefiting from the outcomes of the recent two-state solution conference. The meeting was an opportunity to reaffirm commitment to the reconstruction and early recovery plan in Gaza, demonstrating the shared desire to successfully hold the international conference that Egypt intends to host in Cairo as soon as a ceasefire is announced.

During the session, Prime Minister Dr. Mohamed Mustafa emphasized the necessity of expediting the international will to stop the aggression against our people. He explained that the Palestinian government continues to update its plans for emergency relief and early economic recovery, having prepared 56 executive programs to restore basic life and facilities in the region, along with 350 detailed projects covering various sectors. He noted that work continues with the World Bank, the European Union, and the United Nations to establish specific funding mechanisms for the reconstruction of Gaza in parallel with preparations for a donors conference in Cairo, while continuing to coordinate with the United Kingdom to engage the private sector in the reconstruction preparations.

Additionally, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdel Aaty renewed Cairo's commitment and readiness to hold a reconstruction conference for the sector in cooperation with various international partners, and to continue arrangements post-ceasefire, including the management of the Gaza Strip and the security file, in full coordination with the State of Palestine.

Saudi Foreign Minister Prince Faisal bin Farhan asserted the need for effective international action to prevent displacement and reject annexation and settlement expansion plans, emphasizing the immediate termination of the war in order to begin implementing the Arab-Islamic plan for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

For her part, German Minister for Economic Cooperation and Development, Raisa Al-Abli-Radovan, affirmed her country’s readiness to contribute to reconstruction efforts in Gaza, stressing support for the Arab-Islamic plan and the Palestinian government's emergency response programs as soon as a ceasefire is declared. Berlin also renewed its rejection of annexation, displacement, and starvation plans, and emphasized the necessity of rebuilding vital facilities in the sector, including schools and health centers, and securing essential services, reiterating that the Palestinian Authority has the legal authority over the Palestinian territories, including the Gaza Strip.

In turn, the UN Secretary-General's representative in Palestine, Ramiz Alakbarov, emphasized support for the Palestinian government's efforts and its detailed recovery and reconstruction plans, asserting that the specialized Palestinian institutions will lead these efforts in cooperation with various international partners and UN agencies.

Representatives from the United Kingdom, France, Canada, the UAE, Bahrain, the European Union, Japan, and Turkey also expressed their support for efforts to stop the war, accelerate relief operations, and facilitate the entry of assistance without restrictions, while supporting the Arab-Islamic plan adopted by the international conference to bolster the two-state solution and establish the Palestinian state, as well as supporting the Palestinian government’s recovery and reconstruction programs.