Middle East: Italy, France, Germany, and the UK: "Good Arab initiative for Gaza"

Rome, March 8. (LaPresse) – "We, the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom, welcome the Arab initiative for a recovery and reconstruction plan for Gaza. The plan outlines a realistic path for the reconstruction of Gaza and promises—if implemented—a rapid and sustainable improvement in the catastrophic living conditions of Palestinians in Gaza. Recovery and reconstruction efforts must be based on a solid political and security framework acceptable to both Israelis and Palestinians, ensuring long-term peace and security. We reaffirm clearly that Hamas must no longer govern Gaza nor be a threat to Israel. We explicitly support the central role of the Palestinian Authority and the implementation of its reform program." This statement was made in a joint declaration by the Foreign Ministers of France, Germany, Italy, and the United Kingdom. "We commend the serious efforts of all parties involved and appreciate the important signal that the Arab states have sent by jointly developing this recovery and reconstruction plan. We are committed to working in support of the Arab initiative, the Palestinians, and Israel to address these issues together, including security and governance. We urge all parties to work from the merits of the plan as a starting point," the statement continues.