In a phone call with Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty, Van Weel expressed his country’s readiness to coordinate with Cairo on post-war recovery and reconstruction efforts, Egypt’s Foreign Ministry said in a statement.
Abdelatty stressed the need for broad international participation in rebuilding Gaza within the framework of the Arab-Islamic plan for early recovery and reconstruction, and in line with the US-proposed Middle East peace initiative. He also urged continued European and international support to ensure the sustained delivery of humanitarian aid to the enclave.
The Egyptian minister called for full implementation of the Sharm El-Sheikh Peace Agreement, which seeks to end Israel’s two-year-long genocidal war on Gaza earlier this month, saying compliance with its terms was essential for regional stability and easing Gaza’s severe humanitarian crisis.
Van Weel praised Egypt’s “pivotal role” in brokering the ceasefire and in promoting regional peace, the ministry said, adding that both sides underlined the need to consolidate and sustain the truce.
The Netherlands, which has yet to recognize a Palestinian state, reiterated its support for a two-state solution and for establishing a “legitimate, democratic Palestinian authority” with full control over its territories.
The Cairo conference, organized with the Arab League (AL), the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), and the Palestinian Authority (PA), will bring together governments, international organizations, financial institutions, and private-sector representatives to mobilise donor support for rebuilding Gaza.
The event will aim to assess damage, establish mechanisms for the early recovery phase and coordinate projects to restore utilities, clear rubble, and provide temporary housing before moving toward long-term reconstruction.
According to the United Nations (UN) and regional estimates, Israel’s war killed about 68,000 Palestinians, wounded more than 180,000 and left 10,000 missing. More than 80 percent of Gaza’s buildings and infrastructure were destroyed, leaving residents without water, electricity, fuel or medical care.
Preliminary assessments put the cost of rebuilding the territory at up to $70 billion.
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