VOIWORLD/Sumit Chaturvedi
Senior European foreign ministers gathered in Paris to discuss the Gaza peace deal and made it clear that Europe will not shoulder the financial burden of reconstruction alone. The meeting followed the announcement of the first phase of a peace agreement between Israel and Hamas, brokered by US President Donald Trump, aimed at ending a devastating war that has killed tens of thousands and destabilised the wider Middle East.
The European Union is already the largest external donor to Palestine and has provided €1.48 billion in humanitarian assistance since October 2023. European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc would be ready to support recovery and reconstruction when the time comes. However, foreign ministers from Spain, France, Italy, Germany, the UK and EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas used the Paris gathering to stress that Gulf countries must also contribute.
The talks at the French foreign affairs ministry were hosted by President Emmanuel Macron and attended by foreign ministers from Egypt, Saudi Arabia, the UAE, Jordan, Qatar, Canada and Turkey. European leaders also sought a role on the proposed board of peace that would oversee Gaza’s governance after the deal.
Macron said the responsibilities extend beyond the ceasefire, describing the talks as crucial to shaping the “day after.” Trump also indicated support for involving wealthy Gulf nations, saying they should contribute significant funds to reconstruction efforts.
The outcome signals a shift toward shared financial responsibility, which India will likely watch closely as it maintains strong diplomatic ties with both Gulf countries and Israel, and is increasingly active in reconstruction and development partnerships across the region.
