European Union countries are preparing to begin a new phase of participation in rebuilding the Gaza Strip, following the ceasefire agreement between Israel and Hamas, announcing a three-year support plan worth €5 billion, described by European officials as the largest humanitarian and developmental commitment since the Ukraine war.

Spain’s newspaper Nius Diario reported that the European Commission indicated that approximately €2 billion will be allocated for the first phase, directed towards vital infrastructure including electricity, water, sewage, and hospitals, with restoration work set to begin in the first quarter of 2026.

European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen praised the agreement reached between Israel and Hamas as part of the US-led peace plan, calling for a permanent ceasefire in the Gaza Strip.

In a message posted on her X account, von der Leyen emphasized the need to release all hostages, ensure full implementation of the agreement, and create suitable conditions to start rebuilding Gaza. She stated in one of the strongest messages of support from Brussels regarding the conflict, “This suffering must end.”

Von der Leyen described the agreement as an important step towards lasting peace, noting that the current truce should be transformed into a permanent ceasefire and that all parties must fully comply with the agreement’s terms.

The Commission President also confirmed the EU’s commitment to continue providing urgent humanitarian aid, announcing the Union’s readiness to actively contribute to Gaza’s rehabilitation efforts, including vital infrastructure such as hospitals, electricity networks, and drinking water.

European sources explained that Brussels is already working in coordination with the United Nations and international humanitarian agencies to direct resources towards rebuilding Gaza, within a vision aimed at building sustainable peace based on a solid political foundation.