The European Union has announced a new €883.6m (£760m; $1bn) initiative aimed at supporting recovery efforts in Gaza, bringing together European governments, Japan and major
international financial institutions.
The programme, known as the Team Gaza Initiative, was launched on Monday during a meeting of the Palestine Donor Group in Brussels. The European Commission said the funding would support both ongoing humanitarian work and longer-term projects designed to help rebuild essential services and infrastructure across the territory.
The initiative brings together the European Commission, 12 EU member states, Japan, the World Bank and the European Investment Bank.
European officials said the money would be directed towards areas including healthcare, water and sanitation, energy supply, education and the rehabilitation of damaged public infrastructure. Support for local businesses and job creation is also expected to form part of the recovery programme.
A shift from relief to recovery
The announcement marks one of the largest coordinated international funding efforts for Gaza since the latest conflict began in October 2023. While much of the international response has focused on emergency food, medical and shelter assistance, EU officials said the new initiative was intended to bridge the gap between immediate humanitarian relief and longer-term reconstruction.
According to the Commission, projects funded under the scheme will be implemented in cooperation with Palestinian institutions, United Nations agencies and international development partners, with an emphasis on restoring basic living conditions for civilians.
Humanitarian crisis continues
Gaza has suffered widespread destruction after months of fighting between Israel and Hamas. The United Nations has warned that much of the territory's housing, healthcare system, water network and electricity infrastructure has been severely damaged, while large numbers of residents remain displaced.
Humanitarian agencies say access to food, clean water and medical supplies remains critically constrained, and reconstruction on a significant scale will depend on both sustained funding and improved access for aid deliveries.
Part of a broader EU effort
The European Union is already one of the largest providers of assistance to Palestinians. Since the start of the war, the bloc has significantly increased humanitarian funding for Gaza and has repeatedly called for greater humanitarian access and protection of civilians.
European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen has previously said that any future recovery effort must be linked to a broader political process aimed at achieving a lasting peace based on a two-state solution.
Officials said the Team Gaza Initiative would remain open to additional partners and contributions as planning for Gaza's recovery continues.
What the €883.6m package will support
- Restoration of healthcare facilities and medical services.
- Repairs to water, sanitation and electricity networks.
- Rehabilitation of schools and public buildings.
- Support for housing recovery and local infrastructure.
- Assistance for small businesses and employment programmes.
The European Commission said detailed project allocations would be agreed with partners as implementation begins in the coming months.
