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.