The Chairman of Qatar’s Gaza Reconstruction Committee, Ambassador Mohammed Al Emadi, announced on Monday that Qatar would sustain payments for civil servants and needy families in the Gaza Strip. This process would be carried out under a new mechanism that would involve the Western-supported Palestinian Authority and the United Nations, according to the Gulf state’s envoy.
In his remarks following the meeting with Hamas leaders in Gaza, Ambassador Al Emadi stated that the payments, which were suspended in May, would restart in upcoming days. He stated that Hamas approved the new payment mechanism.
The envoy’s statements came following the announcement indicating that the gas-rich Gulf state came to an agreement on a grant for reconstruction in the Gaza Strip and the opening of crossings into the enclave. According to Al Emadi, the new agreement also foresees the complete opening of border passages with Gaza.
The Qatari envoy expressed his hope that the restarting of stipends and the complete opening of border crossings “will have a clear and positive impact on improving the living reality in Gaza Strip, and help all parties emerge from tense situation.”
However, he did not provide further details regarding how and when the new mechanism would be put into action.
Carrying out reconstruction and infrastructure projects in the Gaza Strip since the 2014 war, Qatar previously paid $30 million per month to assist in running the enclave’s only power plant, as well as support poor families, and public servants employed by Hamas. Doha, which spends more than $1 billion on Gaza projects, vowed another $500 million in May.
Previously, Israeli officials stated that the Qatari aid could be distributed as vouchers rather than cash as a measure against Hamas using the money for military aims. The Israeli Defense Ministry agency for liaising with the Palestinians, COGAT, has not yet commented on the Qatari announcement.
