There is no talk of the Palestinian right to search for and honour their own dead, to mourn publicly the loss. The idea of reconstruction is dangled before the residents of Gaza. Those who call for it from abroad seem to envision just clearing rubble, pouring concrete, and rehabilitating infrastructure. There is no talk of rebuilding people restoring their institutions, dignity, and sense of belonging.
The conference was announced by Downing Street ahead of British Prime Minister Keir Starmer's arrival in Egypt on Monday for a peace plan signing co-chaired by US President Donald Trump and Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sissi. While Starmer has not attended the conference, convened at the UK Foreign Office's Wilton Park conference center, it has been led by the UK's Middle East Minister Hamish Falconer,
As the first phase of a ceasefire in Gaza comes into effect, researchers who study post-war reconstruction say that rebuilding efforts must not shut out Palestinian expertise. Academics at scientific institutions "possess unparalleled local knowledge and a deep understanding of their land", says Amani Al-Mqadma, head of international relations for the Islamic University of Gaza, and a co-author of a report assessing the needs of higher education in the territory.
We call on the international community, the United Nations and all international legal organisations and the International Court of Justice to punish the leaders of the [Israeli] occupation and to not grant them any legal or political immunity, al-Thawabta said in a statement. We call for forming an international, independent commission to investigate the war crimes and genocide and ensure that the return and compensation of all displaced people.
Researchers who study post-war reconstruction have told Nature that the recovery of public health, environment, higher education and research in Gaza will not succeed unless it is led by experts from the Palestinian territory. Their warning comes amid images of jubilant scenes in Gaza yesterday as negotiators in Egypt sealed the first phase of US President Donald Trump's ceasefire plan, which today was ratified by Israel's cabinet.
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It is almost certain that the UK, along with France, Canada, Belgium and Malta, will recognise the state of Palestine at a UN conference on 22 September to be held on the sidelines of the general assembly, in the week when world leaders deliver major speeches. Britain had suggested it might not recognise Palestine if Israel and Hamas reached a ceasefire, but the Israeli government has adamantly rejected a ceasefire and announced an intention to capture Gaza City.
The plan itself was first outlined to an incredulous world by Trump in February. The details have now emerged. It involves the expulsion the de facto imprisonment of 2 million Palestinians, while the US administers the exclave for 10 years. Each Palestinian would be paid $5,000 each plus four years' rent somewhere else and one year's supply of food. Gaza is then rebuilt as a skyscraper wonderland of artificial intelligence investment and tourism. It would be a second Dubai yielding up to $400bn for developers.
