<%@LANGUAGE="VBSCRIPT" CODEPAGE="1252"%> WorldTribune.com: Mobile — Arab states trust none of 'Palestinian factions' with reconstruction aid

Arab states trust none of 'Palestinian factions' with reconstruction aid

Friday, January 23, 2009 Free Headline Alerts

ABU DHABI — Leading Arab states have decided to deny both Hamas and the Palestinian Authority control over the billions of dollars in aid pledged for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. ShareThis

Arab diplomats said most Arab League members agreed that the expected $2 billion in Arab aid for the Gaza Strip would be channeled through the World Bank. The diplomats said Arab states such as Egypt, Qatar, Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates were intent not to allow Hamas or the PA access to the reconstruction funds.

"The goal is to help the people and not Palestinian factions," a diplomat said.

The diplomats said the Gaza Strip was not safe for direct Arab aid. On Jan. 21, a Jordanian aid convoy was attacked and its contents seized by Palestinian militias in the Gaza Strip. Jordan ordered the suspension of aid shipments.

Saudi Arabia has pledged $1 billion for Gaza reconstruction. Qatar and the UAE were also expected to contribute several hundreds of millions of dollars to the Gaza Strip in 2009.

The Arab League plans to establish a fund for Gaza reconstruction, diplomats said. The fund would work with the World Bank, which would evaluate the damage to Palestinians in the region. Relief organizations have estimated that more than 4,000 homes were destroyed and another 20,000 damaged.

"The donations must not go directly to the PA or to Hamas as the World Bank will be responsible for evaluating the damage and drafting rules and regulations for the reconstruction process according to international standards," a diplomatic source said.

For its part, Hamas has pledged $52 million to Gazans whose homes were damaged in the Israeli war. On Jan. 23, Hamas began to distribute cash to hundreds of claimants.

Hamas said it would pay $1,300 for any family whose member was killed in the war and $650 for an injury. Emergency relief for a destroyed house was set at $5,200, and half that for a damaged home.

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