“Israel ought take responsibility for what happenedoy contribute significantly, if not entirely, to the repair of damage and reconstruction”the Palestinian Prime Minister said, Mohammed Mustafaduring a press conference in Brussels after the first meeting of the donor group for Gaza promoted by the European Union (EU).
The human cost of the war in Gaza is incalculable. Since the conflict began, almost 70,000 Palestinians have died and another 170,000 would have been injured in the Israeli bombings. But the material costs, with much of the Strip reduced to rubbleare also important. Palestine wants Israel to pay for them.
Mustafa said this during a press conference after meeting in Brussels with representatives of European governmentsa dozen countries in the region, but also Norway, Japan, Canada or New Zealand. The objective was to discuss how they can contribute to the reform agenda that accompanies financial aid to strengthen the Palestinian Authorityin the context of peace negotiations.
The meeting concluded without announcements about new financial aid for reconstruction because, according to community sources, this was not the intention. ““We don’t want it to be a fundraising conference.”recognized a high community source, pointing out that it will be Egypt who organizes a donor conference in the coming weeks.
Israeli debt
The Palestinian Prime Minister has accused Israel of being responsible for the financial problems that the nation accuses. “If Israel complied with the laws and agreements signed and paid us what we owe, we would not need anyone’s support,” said Mustafa. The Palestinian refers to the fact that for months, The Israeli Government keeps transfers frozen of the taxes it collects in the occupied West Bank on behalf of the Palestinian Authority.
“Israel is responsible for the current financial situationand, of course, the political situation, and “We hope they pay us what we owe immediately.”he insisted. Adding that the Israeli Government should also bear the inestimable cost of rebuilding Gaza. The European Commissioner for the Mediterranean, Dubravka Suicahas assured that the Commission maintains diplomatic contacts with Israel to resume transfers, but has avoided going into evaluating Mustafa’s request on the reconstruction of the Strip.
A role for the EU
EU foreign ministers also met this Thursday to discuss how the bloc can contribute to the peace process. For the head of European diplomacy, Kaja Kalla, the United Nations Security Council resolution on the plan of the president of the United States, which opens the door to the creation of an “international stabilization force”, It represents a “change in the game.”
According to the Foreign Minister of the Netherlands, David van Veel“for the first time since I have been alive we have a plan on the table that offers a perspective towards stabilization, peace and a two-state solution”. The role of the EU, for the moment, will be limited to helping to train the Palestinian security forces and reinforce the border, in addition to contributing humanitarian aid. Predictably, it will be the countries of the region who participate in the “stabilization force.”
But for there to be a peace agreement, the fragile ceasefire must first hold. In parallel to these meetings, Israel has carried out several bombings in the Strip. First, in the Khan Younis refugee camp, where 17 people have died, then in Gaza City, where 16 have died. It is the highest death toll in an attack by the Israeli army since the ceasefire began.
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