In a significant development for the war-torn Gaza Strip, Germany and Egypt have announced plans to jointly host an international reconstruction conference, aiming to chart a path forward for the enclave’s recovery after years of devastating conflict. The announcement, made on October 10, 2025, by German Chancellor Friedrich Merz, comes on the heels of a fragile ceasefire and prisoner exchange agreement between Israel and Hamas, signaling a possible turning point in the region’s turbulent recent history.
The ceasefire agreement, reached after two years of hostilities, was set to take effect immediately following its approval by Israel on October 10. The deal, based on a 20-point peace plan proposed by U.S. President Donald Trump and backed by major international players, stipulates that the Israeli military has 24 hours to begin a partial withdrawal from Gaza. In return, Hamas has a 72-hour window to release all Israeli captives in exchange for the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees held in Israeli prisons. According to Reuters, the Israeli Ministry of Justice has already published a list of 250 detainees to be freed as part of the agreement.
As Israeli units began withdrawing from certain areas of Gaza, residents cautiously ventured north, hoping for a return to some semblance of normalcy after months of violence. Aid convoys are now poised to enter the enclave, where an estimated two million people—most of them displaced—face acute shortages of food, water, and medical supplies. The immediate humanitarian needs are immense, with much of Gaza’s civilian infrastructure in ruins from repeated airstrikes and ground operations.
Chancellor Merz’s announcement on Friday underscored Germany’s intention to play an active diplomatic role in the post-war recovery. In a statement posted on X (formerly Twitter), Merz expressed appreciation to President Trump and the mediating parties—Egypt, Qatar, Turkey, and the Israeli government—for their efforts in brokering the agreement. "We are ready to take responsibility and we will do this very quickly," Merz said, emphasizing Germany’s commitment to urgent action.
To back up this pledge, Germany has committed 29 million euros (approximately $34 million) in immediate humanitarian aid to Gaza. The funds are earmarked for the rapid restoration of critical services, including clean water, electricity, and medical care, and will be released following the ratification of the ceasefire agreement. According to Tagesschau, the goal is to accelerate access to basic needs and support the most vulnerable segments of Gaza’s population.
The planned reconstruction conference, to be co-hosted by Germany and Egypt, represents a bid to rally international support and resources for Gaza’s recovery. Preparations for the conference are expected to begin within weeks, with invitations extended to regional partners, the United Nations, and major donor states. The Palestinian Ministry of Planning and International Cooperation has indicated that the conference will be led jointly by Egypt, Germany, the United Nations, and the Palestinian Authority, reflecting a broad-based approach to post-conflict rebuilding.
Egypt’s role as co-host is seen as pivotal, given its geographic proximity and longstanding political ties to Gaza. Egyptian officials, including Major General Hassan Rashad, head of the country’s General Intelligence Service, played a key part in the Sharm El-Sheikh negotiations that produced the ceasefire. Turkey and Qatar also had seats at the table, with Qatari Prime Minister Mohammed bin Abdulrahman Al Thani attending the talks, alongside U.S. envoys Steve Witkoff and Jared Kushner.
The United States, under President Trump’s peace framework, has welcomed European participation in Gaza’s recovery but expects allies to match financial commitments with political backing for broader regional normalization. As Reuters reports, the Trump plan envisions not only the release of hostages and humanitarian aid but also the deployment of international stabilization forces and the implementation of deradicalization programs—contingent on reforms and the exclusion of Hamas from reconstruction efforts.
Humanitarian agencies have urged that the initial wave of aid prioritize food, water, and medical relief before launching into the more complex and costly task of rebuilding infrastructure. The focus, they argue, must be on meeting life-saving needs in a population that has endured years of siege and deprivation. Should the ceasefire falter—a real risk, given the volatility of the situation—aid priorities could quickly shift from reconstruction to emergency relief and refugee support, testing the resolve and credibility of Germany and other international donors.
For Germany, the reconstruction initiative marks a notable shift in its Middle East diplomacy. Historically, Berlin has maintained a strong pro-Israel policy, rooted in the legacy of World War II and the Holocaust. By stepping forward with humanitarian aid and a leadership role in post-war recovery, Chancellor Merz is signaling a move to balance traditional support for Israel with a growing sense of humanitarian responsibility toward the Palestinians. This nuanced stance positions Germany as a potential bridge between Western allies, Israel, and Arab states at a moment when European engagement in the region has often lagged behind that of Washington.
Egypt, for its part, has repeatedly affirmed its readiness to host the international conference on Gaza’s reconstruction and early recovery, with Cairo expected to serve as the venue once the ceasefire is firmly in place. The Egyptian government’s involvement is not only strategic but also humanitarian, as the country has frequently played the role of mediator in past Gaza conflicts and has a direct stake in the region’s stability.
The upcoming conference is expected to draw a wide range of stakeholders, from donor governments to international organizations and regional players. The hope is that by pooling resources and expertise, the international community can help Gaza move beyond the cycle of destruction and rebuilding that has defined its recent history. The conference will also provide a forum to address the longer-term political and security questions that must be resolved if lasting peace is to take root.
Despite the cautious optimism surrounding the ceasefire and the planned reconstruction efforts, many challenges remain. The exclusion of Hamas from reconstruction, as stipulated in the Trump plan, is likely to be contentious, given the group’s entrenched presence in Gaza. The success of the prisoner exchange and the durability of the ceasefire will be closely watched as indicators of whether the peace process can gain real traction.
For now, the people of Gaza wait anxiously for relief to arrive and for the first signs of recovery to take hold. The coming weeks will be critical, as international actors move from pledges to action and the fragile truce is put to the test on the ground. The world’s eyes are on Berlin and Cairo as they prepare to convene the conference that could shape Gaza’s future for years to come.
As the dust settles from the latest round of conflict, the hope is that this time, the promises of aid and reconstruction will translate into lasting change—and that Gaza’s long-suffering residents will finally see a path to peace and rebuilding.