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Donors asked to pledge Gaza cash | Donors asked to pledge Gaza cash |
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International donors are to meet in Egypt, where they are expected to pledge billions of dollars to rebuild Gaza after Israel's recent offensive. | International donors are to meet in Egypt, where they are expected to pledge billions of dollars to rebuild Gaza after Israel's recent offensive. |
Teams from some 75 nations are in Sharm el-Sheikh, among them US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is expected to commit $900m (£633m) to the fund. | Teams from some 75 nations are in Sharm el-Sheikh, among them US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, who is expected to commit $900m (£633m) to the fund. |
Thousands of Gaza homes were destroyed or damaged during Israel's operation. | Thousands of Gaza homes were destroyed or damaged during Israel's operation. |
However, all but essential supplies are still subject to Israeli blockades at the crossing points into Gaza. | However, all but essential supplies are still subject to Israeli blockades at the crossing points into Gaza. |
And donors stress that aid should not be channelled through Hamas, which both the US and the EU regard as a terrorist organisation. | |
Some 1,300 Palestinians, of whom 412 were children, were killed during fighting in December and January, and 21,000 homes were flattened or badly damaged. | Some 1,300 Palestinians, of whom 412 were children, were killed during fighting in December and January, and 21,000 homes were flattened or badly damaged. |
Israel and Hamas declared unilateral truces on 17 January following the three-week Israeli offensive. | Israel and Hamas declared unilateral truces on 17 January following the three-week Israeli offensive. |
Clinton's warning | Clinton's warning |
Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is seeking about $2.8bn (£2bn) of aid from donors during the one-day conference at Egypt's premier Red Sea resort. I will be announcing a commitment to a significant aid package Hillary Clinton US Secretary of State Clinton's delicate Mid-east tour | Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas is seeking about $2.8bn (£2bn) of aid from donors during the one-day conference at Egypt's premier Red Sea resort. I will be announcing a commitment to a significant aid package Hillary Clinton US Secretary of State Clinton's delicate Mid-east tour |
"We expect rapid international aid from all parties to completely rebuild Gaza," Mr Abbas told reporters ahead of the conference. | "We expect rapid international aid from all parties to completely rebuild Gaza," Mr Abbas told reporters ahead of the conference. |
He also stressed that all aid to Gaza should be channelled through his Palestinian Authority. | He also stressed that all aid to Gaza should be channelled through his Palestinian Authority. |
Hillary Clinton, who is making her first visit to the Middle East as America's top diplomat, is reportedly carrying a cheque for $900m for Gaza. | Hillary Clinton, who is making her first visit to the Middle East as America's top diplomat, is reportedly carrying a cheque for $900m for Gaza. |
But she has already warned that the aid would depend on Palestinians' meeting the conditions of the "Quartet" of Middle East mediators - the EU, UN, US and Russia. | But she has already warned that the aid would depend on Palestinians' meeting the conditions of the "Quartet" of Middle East mediators - the EU, UN, US and Russia. |
"I will be announcing a commitment to a significant aid package. But it will only be spent if we determine that our goals can be furthered rather than undermined or subverted," she said on Saturday. | "I will be announcing a commitment to a significant aid package. But it will only be spent if we determine that our goals can be furthered rather than undermined or subverted," she said on Saturday. |
After the conference, Mrs Clinton will go to Israel and the Palestinian territories to meet leaders from both sides. | After the conference, Mrs Clinton will go to Israel and the Palestinian territories to meet leaders from both sides. |
Saudi Arabia, another major donor, has already promised $1bn (£703m) to Gaza, and is expected to reaffirm its commitment in Sharm el-Sheikh. | Saudi Arabia, another major donor, has already promised $1bn (£703m) to Gaza, and is expected to reaffirm its commitment in Sharm el-Sheikh. |
Neither Hamas nor Israel will be attending the conference. | Neither Hamas nor Israel will be attending the conference. |
The main obstacles to reconstruction of Gaza are the crossings which remain largely closed to all but essential supplies, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Sharm el-Sheikh. | The main obstacles to reconstruction of Gaza are the crossings which remain largely closed to all but essential supplies, says the BBC's Christian Fraser in Sharm el-Sheikh. |
For that to change there would need to be a series of improbable events, he adds: Hamas would have to recognise Israel while at the same time healing divisions with Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah. | For that to change there would need to be a series of improbable events, he adds: Hamas would have to recognise Israel while at the same time healing divisions with Mahmoud Abbas' Fatah. |
Israel and Egypt would have to recognise Hamas in some form of governing role, and on top of that there would need to be a binding ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to ensure the medium-term stability. | Israel and Egypt would have to recognise Hamas in some form of governing role, and on top of that there would need to be a binding ceasefire between Israel and Hamas to ensure the medium-term stability. |