Federal Development Minister Reem Alabali-Radovan visited the Middle East this week, meeting with students, officials, and aid partners in a trip focused on support for Gaza and regional cooperation. During her four-day visit to the West Bank, Israel, Jordan, and Saudi Arabia, Alabali-Radovan pledged Germany’s continued commitment to humanitarian assistance and reconstruction efforts in Gaza.
At Al-Quds Girls' High School near Jerusalem—built with German support in 2024—the minister spoke with pupils about their aspirations. The school serves 360 students, many from the Qalandia refugee camp.
Alabali-Radovan outlined plans for an “early recovery” package for Gaza. “Plans include temporary accommodation, the repair of water pipes and schools, and cash-for-work programmes for short-term jobs. The early recovery package is intended to enable the restoration of basic services after a permanent ceasefire and pave the way for reconstruction. It is being implemented by the UNDP in cooperation with KfW Development Bank,” she said.
The delegation visited temporary modular shelters designed as emergency housing units for families displaced by conflict in Gaza. These units are more robust than tents but not intended as permanent homes. About 400 families will be accommodated initially when conditions allow delivery into Gaza. Preparations are ongoing to provide further transitional housing solutions as almost all residential buildings in Gaza have been damaged or rendered uninhabitable.
In Ramallah and Israel, Alabali-Radovan met with political leaders—including Prime Minister and Minister of Planning—and representatives from COGAT (the Israeli authority overseeing logistics for imports into Gaza). She also met relatives of Israeli hostages held by Hamas since 2023. The minister reiterated calls for their unconditional release: “She is campaigning for the unconditional release of the hostages, who have now been held captive by the terrorist organisation Hamas for almost two years.” She emphasized Germany’s position: “During the talks, Alabali-Radovan also emphasised Germany's demands for an immediate ceasefire in the Gaza Strip and easier access for humanitarian aid deliveries to Gaza.”
The trip continued to Jordan where water scarcity was discussed at Amman’s only remaining groundwater source alongside state secretaries from local ministries. The Federal Institute for Geosciences and Natural Resources presented on groundwater management amid growing shortages due to population increases and refugee influxes. KfW Development Bank has long supported Jordanian water supply projects; local officials stressed that without German development cooperation there would be severe consequences: “‘We would all die. There would be no water in Jordan – we would all die.’”
In Saudi Arabia, discussions focused on future collaboration regarding Syria and Palestinian territories’ reconstruction needs—especially rebuilding efforts in Gaza—as well as potential partnerships through institutions like the Saudi Development Fund (SDF), which supports both humanitarian aid within Islamic countries and international development loans. Following USAID’s withdrawal from some international cooperation activities (https://www.devex.com/news/usaid-shutters-its-largest-global-health-programs-amid-budget-cuts-106892), Germany aims to establish new alliances within global development initiatives.