The Gaza Strip urgently calls for a comprehensive Marshall Plan to counter the ongoing humanitarian crisis, a position articulated by Mohammed Shtayyeh, the Prime Minister of the Palestinian Interim Government, during a meeting with a delegation of U.S. lawmakers. According to the Palestinian news agency WAFA, he stressed that the region now faces a level of humanitarian need that requires coordinated relief, reconstruction, and rapid economic recovery once hostilities cease.
Shtayyeh told the senators that any enduring relief effort must be threefold: immediate humanitarian aid to save lives, a robust reconstruction program to rebuild infrastructure, and a sustainable economic revival to restore livelihoods for residents who have been affected by the conflict. He emphasized that a United States-led initiative could help organize and channel assistance efficiently, and urged steps to open humanitarian corridors that would allow aid to reach vulnerable communities more effectively.
In his remarks, the Palestinian leader urged Washington to press for a ceasefire, arguing that a pause in fighting is essential to create space for relief operations and diplomatic negotiations. He also called for practical measures to improve access, including the reopening of checkpoints that enable the movement of relief supplies and personnel into Gaza.
Reflecting on regional dynamics, Shtayyeh noted the persistent obstacles to peace, including public statements from Israeli leadership that he argues undermine prospects for a peaceful settlement between Palestinians and Israelis. He indicated that without constructive leadership and concrete steps from key regional actors, a durable resolution remains elusive.
The discussion underscored a shared sense among Palestinian leaders that the international community bears responsibility for facilitating protection and accountability amid ongoing military actions in Gaza. As the situation evolves, observers say a coordinated, large-scale relief and reconstruction framework could help stabilize the region and lay the groundwork for future political negotiations, even as the immediate priority remains the safety and welfare of civilians (source attribution: WAFA).