Cyprus has submitted a “very specific” six-point plan for the recovery of Gaza to European Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, ahead of the EU leaders’ summit in Brussels on Thursday.
President Nikos Christodoulides shared the details of the proposal for the first time in an interview with Euronews.
Amalthea
The Cypriot initiative is designed to complement the broader 20-point peace plan put forward by US President Donald Trump at the end of September. The plan was first discussed with international leaders during the 'Gaza Peace Summit' held in Sharm El-Sheikh in mid-October and includes reactivating the so-called 'Amalthea Corridor' - both for the removal of rubble from Gaza and for the delivery of materials that would support the area’s future reconstruction.
The humanitarian maritime corridor was originally launched in 2024 as a joint initiative by Cyprus, supported by Western and Arab nations, aimed at delivering life-saving aid to Gaza.
“Once the conditions are in place, reconstruction must begin. That’s why point three of our proposal is focused on the removal of rubble and enabling reconstruction. This is the role Cyprus can play, developing maritime routes for clearing debris and bringing construction materials into Gaza to support its rebuilding,” Christodoulides told The Europe Conversation, Euronews’ flagship interview programme.
He noted that the earlier phase of the initiative had been a success, and confirmed that Cyprus is “ready, at this stage, to step forward once again as the EU’s representative in the region.”
Building bridges
Christodoulides stressed Cyprus’ willingness to use its strategic geographical position as a bridge between the EU and the Middle East to play a leading role in shaping the future of Gaza.
Cyprus is set to assume the rotating presidency of the Council of the European Union in January 2026, which will give Nicosia greater influence over the bloc’s political agenda.
“One of our key priorities is to bring the EU closer to the Middle East and the wider region,” he said.
“We are part of the European Union, but at the same time, we are part of the Middle East. We’re just 30 minutes by air from Lebanon, 40 from Israel, 50 from Egypt and Jordan, half an hour from Syria, and so on.”
He emphasised the need to cooperate with all regional partners to implement US President Donald Trump’s roadmap. Cyprus, he added, maintains strong diplomatic ties with both Israel and Palestine, as well as with other neighbouring states.
“Our plan builds on our excellent relations with all stakeholders,” he said, citing Israel, “all our Arab partners in the region,” the EU and the United States.
Humanitarian aid and security
Beyond reconstruction, the Cypriot plan broadly focuses on two other key pillars: humanitarian aid and security.
It seeks to support the delivery of urgent humanitarian assistance, ensure monitoring of dual-use goods (items with both civilian and military applications), and provide training to Palestinian security forces.
Cyprus is also positioning itself for a role in the “international stabilisation force” proposed by the Trump administration, a force expected to include both Arab and international actors, tasked with duties such as the disarmament of Hamas and ensuring ongoing stability in Gaza.
All six points of the Cypriot proposal are linked to eight components of the broader 20-point US plan, covering areas such as humanitarian relief, economic recovery, reconstruction and future governance.
However, President Christodoulides was clear that reconstruction can only begin once the necessary political conditions are in place.
“There is currently no viable alternative to the Trump-led ceasefire plan,” he said, referring to the truce between Israel and Hamas that took effect on 10 October. Despite the ceasefire, both sides have since accused each other of violations.