Qatar increases financial aid to Gaza Strip
A view of Gaza City in December 2020. AP - Khalil Hamra
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2 min
The distribution of Qatari financial aid in the Gaza Strip begins on Thursday.
This year, Doha is granting 360 million dollars to the Palestinian enclave, 120 million more than last year.
Since 2018, Qatar has provided this aid to Hamas, in power in the Gaza Strip, with Israeli approval.
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With our correspondent in Jerusalem
,
Sami Boukhelifa
These millions of dollars donated by Qatar are used to pay civil servants' salaries, but the money is also distributed in cash directly to Palestinians in need.
This Thursday, February 4, 100,000 families will each receive $ 100.
This distribution is done with the tacit agreement of Israel, which nevertheless considers
Hamas
in power in Gaza to be a terrorist organization.
But the Hebrew state is "
pragmatic
", explains researcher Xavier Guignard.
According to this specialist from the Noria Research institute, "
by allowing this funding, Israel is buying social peace in the Gaza Strip and above all letting the rich gas emirate put its hand in its pocket in its place
".
The Hebrew state has been blockading the Palestinian enclave since 2006, and in theory, it is up to it to provide for the two million Gazans, who live on less than $ 5 a day.
Israel strictly controls the entry and exit of this Palestinian territory, and ensures that Qatari funding does not end up in the hands of armed groups.
"
These millions are not used for the development of Gaza, they barely ensure its survival
", concludes Xavier Guignard.
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Palestinian territories
Qatar
Israel