On Monday, the European Union faced a familiar frustration as it confronted the Gaza crisis with a prescription that critics say is too familiar for comfort. The ministers invited Israeli and Palestinian officials along with several Arab counterparts to discuss the humanitarian catastrophe in the Strip and to outline a twelve point approach for postwar stability. The plan hinted at creating a framework for a future peace conference, a foundation for resolving the conflict and for the establishment of a Palestinian state with strong security guarantees for Israel. Yet during the meeting the spotlight shifted when Israel’s senior official, openly called Netanyahu, chose not to address the core issues at hand. Instead, he presented two videos that appeared to be recycled footage. Diplomatic sources quoted by Euronews described the moment as leaving the ministers perplexed. One proposal suggested building a railway link between the Middle East and India, and the other involved an artificial island positioned five kilometers off the Gaza coast. A separate project claimed to revive Gaza’s economy but has reportedly been erased from the map as retaliation for the October Hamas attack, a move seen by some as political punishment rather than a genuine economic plan.
The minister showed several videos that seemed disconnected from the topics under discussion, according to attendees. Josep Borrell, head of the European Union diplomacy, voiced disappointment and dismissed both initiatives as irrelevant. He stressed that there was no groundbreaking decision emerging from the meeting. Netanyahu’s stance, according to Brussels and Washington, has long supported the creation of a Palestinian state as a route to resolving the conflict. The artificial island concept traces back to 2017 when Katz held the role of Transportation Minister. Promotional material described a commercial port, storage facilities, a seawater treatment plant and a power plant, with international investors funding the venture to connect the islet to Gaza via a highway. Critics argued that the proposal was meant to address a harsh reality for Palestinians and a questionable benefit for Israel, with the voiceover in the video indicating that it was a response to a difficult situation.
No plans for the next day
In his remarks, the administration noted that Israel would maintain control of the island, the port inspections, and surrounding maritime space, just as it has exercised control over territorial waters and airspace for decades. From an international law perspective, the initiative has yet to show signs of advancing toward a resolution. Opponents portray the move as a distraction from the urgent need for a definite ceasefire in Gaza. A senior Palestinian official commented that such ideas challenge international obligations and suggested that there has been no visible plan for the next steps after the current hostilities, which have reduced Gaza to a fragile and precarious state. Statements from the Israeli side have offered little clarity on what comes next, particularly regarding the possibility of excluding the Palestinian Authority from leading the Strip if Hamas remains in place.
Development narratives in Gaza
Critics argue that rather than fostering a livable economy in Gaza, past Israeli policies have shaped the territory into a constrained marketplace with a dependent labor pool supporting agricultural and construction sectors. Analysts describe two parallel tracks often described as development policy. One line of thought argues for greater autonomy for Gaza’s commercial activities, including imports and exports, while others contend such policies were undermined by repeated conflicts and systematic blockades. Historical events, such as the destruction of the international airport in 2002 during the second intifada, are cited as markers of how external actions have constrained Gaza’s productive capacity. These dynamics continue to influence present-day discussions about economic relief and reconstruction.
In recent times the Strip has faced intensified border restrictions and broader economic pressures, prompting warnings from UNRWA about imminent famine risks. The agency warned that hundreds of thousands of people were facing severe hunger after a prolonged period of siege following the October 7 attacks. The humanitarian situation remains dire, with international observers emphasizing the need for sustained aid and a credible path to stability that respects international obligations and the rights and welfare of civilians in Gaza.