 The democratic Hamas government says it will set up a committee to oversee relief efforts in the Gaza Strip. |
Hamas plans to set up a high-ranking committee to oversee the distribution of aid in Gaza which was left in ruins after the 23-day Israeli war.
Hamas' Minister of Social Affairs Ahmed al-Kurd will head the National High Committee for Relief which will distribute some 35 million euros ($45 million) to those who lost family members or their homes.
"It will be the only body to oversee and supervise the rescue. We will be in contact with all other bodies, whether local, national or international, to organize the relief," al-Kurd said at a news conference in Gaza City on Saturday.
Officials of the Islamic resistance movement Hamas said the emergency relief would include 4,000 euros (5,200 dollars) for a destroyed house, 500 euros (650 dollars) for an injury, 1,000 euros (1,300 dollars) for every family member killed in Israel's three-week-long offensive against the coastal enclave.
"We are a government that is in charge of all of Gaza," al-Kurd said. "The ministries have budgets; they have funds, just like in the rest of the countries of the world."
"We are a government that is in charge of all of Gaza," al-Kurd said. "The ministries have budgets; they have funds, just like in the rest of the countries of the world."
He demanded the lifting of Gaza blockade and the reopening of the city's border crossings.
"From now on we will not accept a slow death by blockade. We sacrificed in this war... and we did not sacrifice our youth to return to square one," the Hamas official said.
Gaza residents have been struggling with a critical shortage of vital supplies due to an 18-month Israeli blockade on the coastal sliver.
"From now on we will not accept a slow death by blockade. We sacrificed in this war... and we did not sacrifice our youth to return to square one," the Hamas official said.
Gaza residents have been struggling with a critical shortage of vital supplies due to an 18-month Israeli blockade on the coastal sliver.
The UN and other aid agencies say there are difficulties in delivering food, medicines and other supplies to the civilian population of the region due to the damage done to Gaza's infrastructure as well as Israel's refusal to freely allow humanitarian aid into the region.
Israel unleashed Operation Cast Lead on the Gaza Strip on December 27, allegedly to put an end to rocket attacks against southern Israeli towns. At least 1,330 Palestinians died during the offensive, while some 5,450 others were reported wounded.
Hamas, the democratically-elected government of the coastal region, in announcing its own ceasefire gave Israeli troops one week to leave Gaza before a permanent ceasefire could be discussed.
Israel completed its troop withdrawal from Gaza, which began on Sunday evening, amid world condemnation of the war crimes Israeli Army had committed against Palestinians.
Israel unleashed Operation Cast Lead on the Gaza Strip on December 27, allegedly to put an end to rocket attacks against southern Israeli towns. At least 1,330 Palestinians died during the offensive, while some 5,450 others were reported wounded.
Hamas, the democratically-elected government of the coastal region, in announcing its own ceasefire gave Israeli troops one week to leave Gaza before a permanent ceasefire could be discussed.
Israel completed its troop withdrawal from Gaza, which began on Sunday evening, amid world condemnation of the war crimes Israeli Army had committed against Palestinians.
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