UAE pledges $41 million aid for Gaza reconstruction

The UAE said on Monday it will offer nearly $41 million in aid for the reconstruction of Gaza homes hit by Israel’s military offensive against rocket-firing militants.

Of that figure, 150 million dirhams ($40 million) was part of an agreement between Abu Dhabi and the Emirati Red Crescent and the UN agency for Palestinian refugees, according to the Red Crescent.

The initiative was aimed at reconstructing “damaged homes and rehabilitating hospitals, education and services” hit by Israeli military strikes in the Gaza Strip, the organisation’s president, Shaikh Hamdan bin Zayed Al Nahyan, was quoted as saying in a statement.

The UAE government already pledged $52 million in humanitarian aid for Palestinians in the coastal enclave in the early stages of the Israeli military offensive.

Hundreds of residential buildings have been damaged since July 8, when Israel launched the assault that has now killed 572 Palestinians and 27 Israelis, including 25 soldiers.