Gaza: The EU Considers Assisting in the Disarmament of Hamas

The EU is considering providing funding and expertise to assist in the disarmament of Hamas as part of President Donald Trump's peace plan for Gaza, according to a document reviewed by AFP on Friday.

The document, prepared by the EU's diplomatic service, states that member states should "assess and explore ways to finance and provide expertise for disarmament" in Gaza.

The 27 members are discussing the role they could play after the EU was sidelined in negotiations that led to a ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel.

The first phase of this agreement has allowed for a cessation of hostilities following two years of war between Israel and the Palestinian organization.

According to Trump's 20-point plan for Gaza, the next phases of the truce should include the disarmament of Hamas, an offer of amnesty to Hamas militants who agree to lay down their arms, and the implementation of new governance.

EU foreign ministers are set to discuss the Union's potential role in this process during a meeting on Monday in Luxembourg.

The document prepared by the office of EU foreign policy chief Kaja Kallas, which will be presented to ministers, also outlines other potential areas of action for the Union, the main international donor to Gaza.

"The priority is to ensure the immediate delivery of large-scale aid to Gaza and throughout the territory in accordance with international humanitarian law," the text states.

The EU has already indicated its readiness to redeploy a monitoring mission at the Rafah crossing with Egypt when it opens and could assist in training a future police force in Gaza.

As the main international financial supporter of the Palestinians, the EU is also expected to play a role in funding reconstruction, but alongside Gulf countries, which are called to take the lead, according to diplomats in Brussels.

The EU, deeply divided on the Middle East, has failed to exert significant influence following Hamas's unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7, 2023.

Ministers will also discuss on Monday the possibility of abandoning proposed sanctions against Israel following the ceasefire agreement achieved by Donald Trump. Israel is pushing for these measures to be dropped, but several EU states argue that they should remain on the table to maintain pressure, including regarding the situation in the West Bank.