BRUSSELS, Belgium, Nov 21, 2025 (BSS/AFP) - The European Union pressed Thursday to bolster reform of the Palestinian Authority, as Brussels hosted 60 delegations to discuss reconstruction and governance in Gaza after the US-brokered peace plan.

The 27-nation bloc, the biggest financial backer of the Palestinians, is looking to play a more prominent role after being left largely on the sidelines of US President Donald Trump's efforts to end the Israel-Hamas war.

"Our aim is to strengthen governance, build a more resilient economy, stabilise finances, improve services for the population, and create conditions for future effective governance across all territories," said EU commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica.

As part of the efforts, a handful of EU countries signed contributions of more than 80 million euros ($92 million), part of broader support by the bloc worth around 1.6 billion euros over three years that has already been announced.

"Our financial support is linked to the Palestinian Authority reform agenda, which of course, they committed to implement," Suica said.

EU chief Ursula von der Leyen said the bloc was "committed to working towards a Palestinian state with a reformed, well-functioning Palestinian Authority at its core".

"We will continue to support all efforts to stabilise the region, including West Bank and Gaza transitional governance," she said.

The Palestinian Authority (PA), which exercises limited control over parts of the West Bank, insists it must play a key part in running Gaza in the future.

The authority has not had a role in Gaza's governance since its rival Hamas seized control of the territory in 2007, though it still provides some services in the territory.

Trump's plan suggests allowing a role for the PA in running Gaza once it has completed a set of reforms.

But Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu has all but rejected the option of the Ramallah-based PA ruling over post-war Gaza.

"We were clear today, as we have always been, that Gaza and the West Bank are one political and geographical unit, inseparable parts of the state of Palestine," said Mohammad Mustafa, the PA's prime minister.

"Reunifying the two under one legitimate government, one law and one administration is not a slogan. It's the only workable path to stability."

The EU -- riven by divisions among its member states -- has struggled to wield influence throughout the conflict in Gaza.

As part of its push to play a greater role in Trump's plan, the bloc also says it wants to train up to 3,000 Palestinian police officers in the Gaza Strip.