Foreign Minister Eide: The Arab plan for Gaza’s reconstruction should receive broad international support
News story | Date: 05/03/2025 | Ministry of Foreign Affairs
"I welcome the agreement among Arab countries on a joint plan for the reconstruction of Gaza. The plan clearly states that Palestinian ownership must be a guiding principle in reconstruction efforts and that the Palestinians’ right to remain on their own land must be upheld. The fact that the Arab countries in the region are united on key issues concerning Palestine’s future lends significant weight to the plan," said Minister of Foreign Affairs Espen Barth Eide.
The Gaza reconstruction plan was presented during an extraordinary Arab summit in Cairo on Tuesday, 4 March. The leaders of the Arab countries reaffirmed their support for a peace solution that safeguards the Palestinian people’s right to self-determination in an independent Palestinian state. The final communiqué states that the two-state solution guarantees security for all in the region, including Israel.
"Addressing the immense needs will require a large-scale, collective effort, including contributions from countries in the region. A comprehensive, coordinated, and clearly prioritized approach involving all stakeholders is essential. The mobilization of sufficient resources depends on donors’ confidence in a lasting solution to the Israeli-Palestinian conflict. As a necessary first step, all aspects of the ceasefire agreement must be upheld, and agreement must be reached on governance and security structures. At the same time, the only lasting safeguard against future wars is a two-state solution, in which Palestine and Israel coexist in peace," said Foreign Minister Eide.
Palestinian governance and ownership are key principles in Norway’s work within the international donor group for Palestine (AHLC) and in our leadership role alongside the EU, Saudi Arabia, and other regional partners in the Global Alliance for the Implementation of the Two-State Solution.
"It is encouraging that the Arab countries support the establishment of a Palestinian administrative committee for Gaza to initiate reconstruction efforts. In the period ahead, Norway will provide both humanitarian assistance and long-term development aid to Palestine. We will contribute to strengthening Palestinian institutions and advancing the implementation of the Palestinian state. Both essential services and governance structures must be integrated across Gaza and the West Bank, including East Jerusalem," said Foreign Minister Eide.