U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio is expected to take part in a high-level meeting in Paris on Thursday focused on Gaza’s post-war transition, according to three diplomatic sources.
The gathering will bring together ministers from Europe, the Arab world, and other nations to coordinate next steps in rebuilding Gaza and shaping its political future. It will run alongside indirect negotiations in Egypt between Israel and Hamas over U.S. President Donald Trump’s proposed plan for Gaza.
According to a briefing sent to delegates, Thursday’s discussions will build on a recent United Nations conference promoting a two-state solution — the vision of an independent Palestinian state existing alongside Israel. The goal in Paris will be to align international commitments and agree on practical steps to support the U.S. plan.
Countries expected to attend include France, Britain, Germany, Italy, Spain, Jordan, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Indonesia, Turkey, and Canada.
While the U.S. had initially tied its participation to progress in the Egypt talks, a European diplomat said Washington’s presence was “essential.” An Italian official echoed that sentiment, calling Trump’s plan “the only viable path forward.”
A French diplomatic source said the agenda will cover humanitarian aid for Gaza, reconstruction plans, the disarmament of Hamas, and support for the Palestinian Authority and its security forces. Photo by Gage Skidmore from Peoria, AZ, United States of America, Wikimedia commons.
