Accusations of Hostage Body Retention Amidst Gaza Reconstruction plan
The Palestinian Authority (PA) unveiled a five-year, $65 billion (approximately €55 billion) reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip on Thursday in Ramallah, even as questions remain regarding the territory’s future governance. Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa expressed optimism, stating, “I would like to believe that, within twelve months, the Palestinian Authority will be fully operational in Gaza.”
The plan, encompassing 18 sectors including housing, education, and governance, is structured in three phases and builds upon agreements reached at an Arab summit in Cairo in March. Mustafa highlighted ongoing training of Palestinian police officers in Egypt and Jordan as part of the readiness, stating, “Our vision is clear.” He further emphasized, “Gaza must be rebuilt as an open, connected and prosperous part of the State of Palestine.” Technical discussions with the European Union, a key donor to the PA, are currently underway.
Mustafa, a former World Bank executive and director of a Palestinian investment fund, presented the plan to a gathering of Palestinian ministers, UN agency heads, and diplomats.
The PA’s plan comes against a backdrop of complex political realities. Hamas seized control of Gaza in 2007 after clashes with Fatah, the party of PA President Mahmoud Abbas. While the Trump management’s previous plan for Gaza did not preclude a Palestinian state and envisioned a role for the PA – contingent on reforms – current Israeli prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu opposes the creation of a Palestinian state and has suggested the PA administer the enclave.
Separately, Israeli diplomacy has accused Hamas of deliberately withholding the bodies of 19 hostages.Details surrounding these accusations have not been fully released, but represent a significant point of contention in ongoing negotiations and efforts to secure the release of all remaining hostages.
