EU pushes Palestinian Authority reform to help end Gaza war

• The PA has not had a role in Gaza’s governance since Hamas militants seized control of the territory in 2007
• Trump’s plan suggests allowing a role for the PA in running Gaza once it has completed a set of reforms

BRUSSELS: The EU pressed Thursday to bolster reform of the Palestinian Authority as part of the plan to end the Gaza war, as Brussels hosted 60 delegations to discuss reconstruction and governance.

The 27-nation bloc, the biggest financial backer of the Palestinians, is looking to play a more prominent role after being left largely on the sidelines of US President Donald Trump’s efforts to end the Israel-Hamas war.

“Our aim is to strengthen governance, build a more resilient economy, stabilize finances, improve services for the population, and create conditions for future effective governance across all territories,” said EU commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica. As part of the efforts a handful of EU countries signed contributions of more than 80 million euros ($92 million), part of broader support by the bloc worth some 1.6 billion euros over three years that has already been announced.

“Our financial support is linked to the Palestinian Authority reform agenda, which of course, they committed to implement,” Suica said. The Palestinian Authority (PA) insists that it must play a key part in running Gaza after the United States brokered an end to fighting between Israel and Hamas.

The authority has not had a role in Gaza’s governance since Hamas militants seized control of the territory in 2007, though it still provides some services in the territory. Trump’s plan suggests allowing a role for the PA in running Gaza once it has completed a set of reforms.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has all but rejected the option of the Ramallah-based PA ruling over post-war Gaza. “We were clear today, as we have always been, that Gaza and the West Bank are one political and geographical unit, inseparable parts of the state of Palestine,” Mohammad Mustafa, the PA’s prime minister said.

“Reunifying the two under one legitimate government, one law and one administration is not a slogan. It’s the only workable path to stability.” The EU — riven by divisions among its member states — has struggled to wield influence throughout the conflict in Gaza.

As part of its push to play a greater role in Trump’s plan, the bloc also says it wants to train up to 3,000 Palestinian police officers in the Gaza Strip.