ABOUT THE DAMAGE
Here is a look at the scope of destruction in Gaza during the Israel-Hamas war this summer, based on statistics from the United Nations, other international agencies and the Palestinian government:
• Homes . About 100,000 housing units were destroyed or damaged to varying degrees, exceeding an initial estimate of 60,000, according to U.N. surveys. Of those, about 20,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged.
• Displaced. More than 100,000 people are still displaced, with about 57,000 living in communal shelters, including U.N. schools and 47,000 with host families.
• Businesses. Close to 1,000 industrial enterprises, such as workshops and factories, were damaged or destroyed, along with more than 4,200 shops and other commercial enterprises.
• Infrastructure. More than two dozen wells were damaged. Close to 31 miles of water networks and more than 10 miles of sewage pipes were destroyed. Gaza’s only power plant was badly damaged.
U.S.-mediated talks broke down this summer before the 50-day war between Hamas and Israel began — the third since 2008 — and it remains unclear how peace can come about.
Norwegian Foreign Minister Borge Brende, who co-chaired the one-day meeting with Egypt, said pledges of $5.4 billion have been made, but that only half of that money would be “dedicated” to the reconstruction of the coastal strip.
Brende did not say what the other half of the funds would be spent on. Other delegates have spoken of budgetary support, boosting economic activity, emergency relief and other projects.
“The message was clear to the international community that the Palestinian brothers are not alone,” Egyptian Foreign Minister Sameh Shukri told a news conference after the meeting.
Qatar offered the biggest donation of $1 billion — once again using its vast wealth to reinforce its role as a regional player. The United Arab Emirates — a Gulf Arab rival of Qatar — promised $200 million.
The pledges followed U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry’s announcement of immediate American assistance of $212 million. The European Union pledged $568 million, while Turkey, which has been playing a growing regional role, said it was donating $200 million.
Qatari Foreign Minister Khalid bin Mohammed al-Attiyah, in announcing his country’s pledge, denounced the “international silence” that surrounded Gaza’s destruction.
“While the Palestinian people need financial support, they need more political support from the international community,” he said. “A just peace is the only real guarantee for not destroying what we are about to rebuild and reconstruct.”
Delegates representing about 50 nations and 20 regional and international organizations applauded the pledge by Qatar. The Emirates and Saudi Arabia, however, allege that Qatar is using its wealth to undermine regional stability, primarily through meddling in other nations’ affairs and aiding militant Islamic groups.
Conference organizers hope the pledges will be paid over a three-year period to aid reconstruction in Gaza, which borders Israel and Egypt. Both countries have blockaded Gaza since Hamas took power there in 2007, causing the territory of 1.8 million people economic hardship and high unemployment.
Donors plan to funnel the aid through Abbas’ Palestinian Authority, bypassing Hamas, a group that supports Islamic militants and has engaged in aggression against Israel. Abbas and Hamas recently formed a national unity government, and its deputy prime minister, Mohammed Mustafa, acknowledged there would difficulties for the funds to arrive quickly and be appropriated.
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