Brussels eyes a seat at the table in Trump’s Gaza plan

The European Union intends to play an active role in the peace initiative proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump for Gaza and hopes to be part of the international transitional body envisioned in the plan, EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas said on Monday during a visit to Kuwait.

“We believe Europe has an important role to play, and we should also be part of this,” Kallas told reporters in response to a question about the EU’s possible participation in the “Peace Committee” mentioned in Trump’s proposal.

Kallas’s statement reflects the European Union’s broader ambition to reassert its relevance in Middle East diplomacy, at a time when Washington and regional powers — notably Egypt, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia — are taking the lead in mediating between Israel and Hamas.

The U.S.-led plan, unveiled last week, outlines a multi-stage process that would first establish a ceasefire, followed by the release of hostages and prisoners, and ultimately the creation of a temporary international administration for Gaza tasked with overseeing reconstruction and governance until a long-term political settlement is reached.

European officials say they are particularly interested in contributing to reconstruction, governance, and security reform, areas in which the EU has extensive experience from its previous missions in the region, including in the West Bank and along the Rafah border crossing.

Kuwait Visit Underscores EU’s Outreach to the Gulf

Kallas’s remarks came during a diplomatic tour of the Gulf region, aimed at strengthening cooperation with Arab partners on issues ranging from humanitarian aid to energy and security.

In Kuwait, the EU foreign policy chief met with Kuwaiti Foreign Minister Abdullah Al-Yahya, discussing not only Gaza but also broader regional stability and coordination with the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) on peace initiatives.

“The European Union stands ready to contribute politically and materially to any international effort that leads to a sustainable ceasefire and a credible political horizon for Palestinians and Israelis alike,” Kallas said.

While the EU welcomes Washington’s renewed engagement, several European diplomats privately note that the bloc will seek to maintain its own distinct approach — one that continues to emphasize international law, humanitarian principles, and the two-state solution.

The bloc remains one of the largest donors of humanitarian and development aid to the Palestinian territories and has long advocated for multilateral frameworks to resolve the conflict, rather than purely bilateral or unilateral initiatives.