An international conference to help rebuild the Gaza Strip
starts in the Egyptian Red Sea resort of Sharm el-Sheikh.
The Palestinian Authority had hoped to raise US$2.78 billion in
aid, including US$1.33 billion to rebuild the coastal strip after
Israel's three-week military offensive in January.
Here are some of the pledges announced ahead of the one-day event:
- Gulf Arab states plan to pledge US$1.65 billion in aid over a period of up to five years.
- The United States will pledge US$900 million, of which US$300 million will be earmarked for Gaza. The rest will be to support the Palestinian Authority's economic reforms and budget shortfalls.
- The European Commission will pledge 436 million euros (US$552.6 million) both to the reconstruction of Gaza and the reforms of the Palestinian Authority.
- Britain said it would pledge 30 million pounds (US$43 million) to help rebuild Gaza's economy.
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