Initiative, pledging nearly €900 million to support early recovery projects aimed at restoring essential services and infrastructure across the Gaza Strip.
BRUSSELS: The European Commission has launched the Team Gaza Initiative, a major international recovery programme worth €883.6 million (around US$1 billion), bringing together European and global partners to support early recovery efforts across the Gaza Strip. The initiative is intended to help restore essential services, strengthen infrastructure and improve living conditions for Palestinians affected by years of conflict.
The announcement was made during the meeting of the Ad Hoc Liaison Committee, also known as the Palestine Donor Group, in Brussels. The programme aims to coordinate ongoing and future recovery projects while improving cooperation between participating governments, financial institutions and international organisations.
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The initiative brings together the European Commission, 12 European countries, Japan, the World Bank and the European Investment Bank. Australia and Canada have also indicated their intention to join the programme in the near future, further expanding international support for Gaza’s reconstruction.
According to the European Commission, the recovery programme will focus on practical projects designed to improve daily life for Gaza’s residents. Priority sectors include water and sanitation, healthcare, energy, agriculture, food systems, debris removal and solid waste management. These areas have been identified as critical for restoring essential public services and laying the groundwork for longer-term reconstruction.
The programme is based on findings from the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment for Gaza, which highlighted the extensive destruction caused by the conflict and identified urgent priorities for rebuilding basic infrastructure. The European Commission said participating partners stand ready to rapidly deploy coordinated projects once conditions allow implementation.
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European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Šuica said the initiative is intended to help build hope, resilience and a better future for the Palestinian people through coordinated international action. While the Commission has confirmed the overall value of the programme, it has not released a detailed breakdown of individual financial contributions from participating partners.
The launch comes as humanitarian agencies continue to warn about the scale of recovery required across Gaza. United Nations estimates indicate that rebuilding the territory could eventually cost around US$70 billion, reflecting widespread damage to homes, hospitals, schools, roads, water networks and other critical infrastructure. Millions of tonnes of debris must also be cleared before large-scale reconstruction can begin.
Officials said the Team Gaza Initiative is intended to complement existing international assistance rather than replace it. By coordinating donor funding through a common framework, participating organisations aim to improve efficiency, reduce duplication and accelerate the delivery of recovery projects where they are most urgently needed.
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Although the programme represents a significant financial commitment, the pace of reconstruction will continue to depend on conditions on the ground and broader political developments. International institutions have stressed that sustained cooperation among governments, humanitarian organisations and development banks will be essential to support Gaza’s long-term recovery.
The launch of the initiative reflects growing international efforts to coordinate reconstruction planning while preparing for future investment in essential infrastructure, public services and economic recovery once conditions permit broader rebuilding activities.
