Special to WorldTribune.com

CAIRO — Qatar, which hosts the Hamas leadership, has offered the highest pledge to finance the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

The Gulf Cooperation Council emirate pledged $1 billion to rebuild the Gaza Strip in wake of its 50-day war with Israel in July and August 2014.

Kuwait and the United Arab Emirates pledged $200 million during a donors conference in Cairo on Oct. 12.

“Qatar announces its participation with $1 billion for the reconstruction of Gaza,” Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Attiyah said.

In all, some 90 states pledged $5.4 billion to the Gaza Strip. Brende said half of the pledges were meant for reconstruction, with most of the rest allocated to the United Nations.

“They committed themselves to start disbursing their assistance as soon as possible,” Norwegian Foreign Minister Boerge Brende said.

The Palestinian Authority, which requested $4 billion, said it would take responsibility for Gaza reconstruction. But diplomats expressed skepticism whether major projects could begin amid Hamas control of the strip and the weakness of the PA. They also pointed to Doha’s failure to honor previous pledges.

“Gaza remains a tinderbox,” UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon said.

The United States used the three-day conference to press for the establishment of a Palestinian state in the West Bank. Secretary of State John Kerry said Washington would resume efforts for an Israeli agreement for a Palestinian state in wake of a breakdown in talks in April 2014. Israel was not invited to the Cairo parley.

“What was compelling about a two-state solution a year ago is even more compelling today,” Kerry said.

  Ban Ki-Moon, John Kerry, Khalid Bin Mohammed Al Attiyah, Qatar leads all donors with $1 billion pledge to rebuild Gaza Strip