Several European countries, including France, have firmly stated that the Islamist movement Hamas must play "no role" in the future of Gaza, aligning with a plan proposed by Arab leaders for the Palestinian enclave.
No one wants to see the terrorist movement Hamas control the Gaza Strip © Mena Today
Several European countries, including France, have firmly stated that the Islamist movement Hamas must play "no role" in the future of Gaza, aligning with a plan proposed by Arab leaders for the Palestinian enclave.
This stance was reiterated on Wednesday following a closed-door United Nations Security Council meeting.
Speaking on behalf of France, Denmark, Greece, Slovenia, and the United Kingdom, Jay Dharmadhikari, the French chargé d’affaires to the UN, emphasized that any future governance plan for Gaza must:
- Exclude Hamas from any political or administrative role,
- Ensure Israel’s security,
- Prevent the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza.
Furthermore, Dharmadhikari stressed that the proposed plan should support the unity of the occupied West Bank and Gaza under the administration of the Palestinian Authority (PA), reaffirming European backing for a two-state solution.
On Tuesday, Arab leaders convened in Cairo and adopted a plan for Gaza’s reconstruction and the return of the Palestinian Authority to power in the enclave. This initiative is being positioned as an alternative to a plan previously suggested by former U.S. President Donald Trump, which proposed placing Gaza under American control.
As part of their proposal, the Arab League leaders called for Palestinian unity under the umbrella of the Palestine Liberation Organization (PLO). This effectively excludes Hamas, as the group is not a member of the PLO.
The French delegation to the UN, speaking on behalf of the five European nations, welcomed regional efforts aimed at consolidating international support for a unified plan for Gaza's next phase. France also expressed readiness to support and develop these ideas further.
In addition, the European nations urged Israel to allow the unconditional and large-scale entry of humanitarian aid into Gaza, emphasizing that this issue is "non-negotiable".
This call for humanitarian assistance comes amid heightened tensions. On Sunday, Israel announced its decision to cut off humanitarian aid to Gaza, citing disagreements with Hamas over how to proceed with a fragile ceasefire that had been in place since January 19.
This latest escalation follows more than 15 months of conflict, which has devastated Gaza and worsened the humanitarian crisis in the territory.
With both Arab and European nations pushing for a governance plan that excludes Hamas, the future political structure of Gaza remains uncertain.
However, the renewed diplomatic engagement signals an international effort to stabilize the enclave, rebuild its infrastructure, and redefine its leadership under the Palestinian Authority.
By Philippe Tanios
Israel and Hamas signaled on Saturday their readiness to enter the next phase of ceasefire negotiations, as mediators intensified efforts to extend the fragile 42-day truce that has been in place since January.
The foreign ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and Britain announced on Saturday their support for an Arab-backed plan to rebuild Gaza, which would cost $53 billion and ensure that Palestinians remain in the enclave without displacement.
An Israeli airstrike killed two Palestinians in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip on Saturday, medical sources said, as mediators pushed ahead with talks to extend a shaky 42-day ceasefire agreed in January between Israel and Hamas.
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