Qatari aid includes West Bank, Gaza Strip
Qatar's announcement of $480 million in aid to both the West Bank and the Gaza Strip has sparked fears over the Saudi response to such aid.
The Palestinian Authority (PA) has been suffering under a severe financial crisis since the US support stopped and Israel deducted money from clearing funds. This prompted the PA to do whatever it could to obtain Arab support calling on the Arab League to provide a safety net or obtain loans from Arab countries — but it failed to get a serious response.
On May 7, Qatar's Foreign Ministry announced $480 million in aid to the Palestinians in the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, $300 million of which went to the PA as grants and loans for health care, education and humanitarian aid, and $180 million for emergency relief, United Nations programs and electricity.
Ismail Haniyeh, Hamas' political bureau chief, called May 11 Qatar's Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani to thank him for his financial and political support for the Palestinians.
On May 7, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expressed his appreciation to the emir for helping ease the Palestinians’ burdens.
