EU pledges €5B for Gaza reconstruction; projects to begin in 2026

CAIRO – 10 October 2025: Following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, European Union (EU) member states are preparing to enter a new phase of engagement in the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip. The EU has announced a comprehensive three-year support plan valued at €5 billion, described by European officials as the bloc's largest humanitarian and development commitment since the war in Ukraine.

According to the Spanish newspaper Negocios, the European Commission confirmed that approximately €2 billion will be allocated to the initial phase, targeting crucial, vital infrastructure. This includes restoring essential services such as electricity, water, sanitation networks, and hospitals. Restoration work is tentatively scheduled to commence in the first quarter of 2026.

European sources indicate that Brussels is already coordinating with the United Nations and various international humanitarian agencies to direct resources toward Gaza's reconstruction, grounded in a vision aimed at building a sustainable peace based on a solid political foundation.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen lauded the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas, which was facilitated under the U.S.-led peace plan, and called for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

In a message published on her X account, Von der Leyen stressed the necessity of releasing all hostages, ensuring the agreement is fully implemented, and creating the right conditions to begin Gaza's reconstruction. In one of the strongest messages of support issued by Brussels concerning the conflict, she stated: "This suffering must end."

Von der Leyen described the agreement as an important step toward durable peace, emphasizing that the current truce must be converted into a permanent ceasefire, with all parties fully committed to the terms of the deal. The Commission President also reaffirmed the EU's commitment to continue providing urgent humanitarian aid and declared the Union's readiness to contribute actively to Gaza’s rehabilitation efforts, particularly in restoring vital infrastructure like hospitals and water networks.