Uae To Provide Financial Aid To Gaza War Victims

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will provide financial assistance to Palestinians injured during Israel's recent military offensive on the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian committee said Saturday.



The National Islamic Committee for Social Solidarity said that the committee will launch two phases of disbursing financial assistance to those injured during Israel's 51-day onslaught on the Gaza Strip.



Ashraf Jomaa, a senior Fatah movement figure, said that the assistance was a "gift" from UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed.



"The UAE will also fund several relief projects in the Gaza Strip in the coming period," added Jomaa, who is close to expelled Fatah leader Mohamed Dahlan.



He said that the third phase of the project will include providing financial aid to families of those killed during the Israeli onslaught.



Formed a year ago, the National Islamic Committee for Social Solidarity is composed of representatives from top Palestinian factions, including Fatah, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.



Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had earlier criticized the committee for allegedly being beholden to Dahlan, who currently resides in the UAE.



In February, pro-Fatah news outlets reported that Abbas had issued a decree suspending funding for the committee.



On July 7, Israel launched a 51-day offensive on the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of halting rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.



By the time the offensive ended on August 26 – with the signing of an Egyptian-sponsored cease-fire deal between Israel and Palestinian resistance factions – more than 2,160 Gazans had been killed, mostly civilians, and nearly 11,000 others injured.



At least 73 Israelis – 68 soldiers and five civilians – were also killed during the seven-week-long conflict.



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