Gulf sanctions against Qatar could damage reconstruction in the Hamas-run Gaza Strip, where it has provided large financial backing, the head of a major humanitarian charity warns.
The Gulf state has strong ties to Hamas, and is one of the largest donors to the Palestinian enclave. The gas-rich state has funded the rebuilding of much of its infrastructure since a 2014 war with Israel.
Jan Egeland, secretary general of the Norwegian Refugee Council and a former head of the UN’s humanitarian wing, warns Qatar might have to cut back some of its aid to Gaza.
In this April 8, 2013, photo, Palestinians work on a Qatar-funded road in Gaza City (AP/Hatem Moussa)
“Qatar has been very important as an investor in Gaza and as a contributor to infrastructure progress there. It is my impression this may not easily continue,” he says.
After the 2014 war with Israel, Qatar pledged $1 billion for reconstruction — the most of any country.
As of December 2016, $216 million of that had been disbursed, according to the World Bank, with the Gulf state suffering from falling energy prices.
— with AFP
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