Gaza committee signs recovery assistance deal with Germany’s GIZ in Cairo

The Palestinian committee governing Gaza has inked a pact with Germany’s GIZ agency to aid the coastal region’s postwar recovery and reconstruction, though Israeli opposition continues to block the body from operating within the territory. The accord, struck on Tuesday at the National Committee for the Administration of Gaza’s interim office in Cairo, outlines a framework for technical assistance on reconstruction, public institutions, and essential services, according to the committee.

Established in January under US President Donald Trump’s peace plan and UN Security Council Resolution 2803, the initiative was devised to facilitate a fragile truce between Israel and Hamas instigated last October after a two-year conflict. Led by Ali Shaath, a former Palestinian Authority deputy minister, the committee aims to restore public services and oversee civilian administration and reconstruction under the Board of Peace’s supervision.

Shaath and GIZ country director Alexander Zschocke signed the deal at the committee’s temporary headquarters in Cairo alongside Bulgarian diplomat Nikolay Mladenov, the Board of Peace’s high representative, and German officials.

Under the agreement, GIZ will offer technical expertise, advisory services, needs assessments, and training to bolster the committee’s planning and execution capabilities. Cooperation will span municipal services, social protection, education, employment, water, agriculture, and energy. However, the statement did not specify any funding commitment, specific projects, or timeline for implementation.

Shaath urged the agreement to be translated into tangible measures that enhance living conditions, emphasizing the committee’s responsibility to lead implementation according to Gaza’s pressing needs and in coordination with Palestinian institutions. Yet, Israel’s refusal to permit the committee to enter Gaza or proceed with the second phase of Trump’s peace plan, due to Hezbollah disarming and restrictions on equipment and supplies, continues to impede recovery efforts.

Gaza faces a massive reconstruction of homes and infrastructure, with a European Union and UN assessment from April estimating the cost of reconstruction and rebuilding at $71.4 billion over the next decade.