France, Germany, Italy and UK back Arab plan for Gaza reconstruction

The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy and the UK have said they support the Egypt-led Arab plan for the reconstruction of Gaza.

"The plan shows a realistic path to the reconstruction of Gaza and promises – if implemented – swift and sustainable improvement of the catastrophic living conditions for the Palestinians living in Gaza," the ministers said in a joint statement on Saturday. 

The 91-page proposal, published this week, sets out a $53bn budget and a five-year timescale for the reconstruction of the Palestinian enclave, devastated by 15 months of Israeli war. It also outlines a vision for post-war governance in Gaza. 

It was proposed as an alternative to a plan to forcibly expel Palestinians from Gaza proposed by US President Donald Trump. 

The US and Israel have both rejected the Arab proposal.