UAE to Fund $15 Million Monthly to Gaza
The United Arab Emirates will provide $15 million a month to Gaza, a Palestinian politician said Thursday, as its rulers Hamas move closer to a UAE-based rival to Palestinian president Mahmud Abbas.
Mohammed Dahlan has been based in exile in the UAE since falling out with Abbas and being expelled from his Fatah movement.
He has been improving relations with Islamists Hamas to the chagrin of the West Bank-based Abbas.
"Fifteen million dollars will be pumped monthly from the beginning of next month to the Palestinian Joint Liability Committee in support of relief, humanitarian and development projects in the Gaza Strip to alleviate their suffering," Samir Al-Mashharawi, an ally of Dahlan, said in a statement.
The committee was established in the wake of agreements made between Dahlan and Hamas in early July in Cairo.
Hamas, considered a terrorist organisation by the United States, European Union and Israel, could benefit from increased international legitimacy if it were to formally share control with Dahlan.
On Friday, Hamas leaders and Dahlan allies again met in Cairo to discuss easing the blockade of Gaza with Egyptian officials.
The Rafah crossing from Egypt has been largely closed in recent years due to disputes between Hamas and Cairo.
Israel has maintained a crippling blockade on Gaza for a decade.
Seeing his two longtime adversaries moving closer, Abbas has sought to weaken Hamas -- reducing electricity funding for the strip and cutting salaries of state employees there.
17 August 2017, 18:13
30
Another stupid statement by phillipo. You know nothing about Palestinian politics. It is better if you shut up.
18 August 2017, 12:10
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Don't I?
In that case could you please enlighten me by telling how much of the international donation money spent in Gaza in the last 10 years has gone on development (exactly how many Gazans still haven't had their homes rebuilt after the latest war with Israel) and how much on building Hamas tunnels into Israel and Egypt, and paying all their own salaries.
Where does all the UNWRA money go?
18 August 2017, 17:12
10
UNRWA money is mere pittance and go to supporting the refugees ... Spare us your inhumanity and lies. Gaza is under virtual siege imposed by Israel and (yes) Egypt. You do not like Hamas. Well, I do not either. This does not excuse your lies, Israeli Crimes and Egyptian collusion. The people of Gaza need help and not a racist person like you who is willing to see them die to support his racist state.
20 August 2017, 08:47
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ArabDemocrat,com
You do not know who, what, where I am, but you throw out your vile hate.
You say I do not like Hamas - who Does?
Israel for years has given Gaza electricity and water. Over a thousand lorries filled with supplies cross the border every day, how many come from Egypt.
If there was a proper government in the Gaza Strip, every cent coming in as financial aid would be spent on rebuilding homes, relaying roads and improving the infrastructure. Instead of that it goes to pay the salaries of the tens of thousands in the pay of the Hamas, in building tunnels to, on one hand to attack Israel and on the other hand to enable smuggling arms from Egypt. It also goes towards school books teaching hatred of Israel.
