Qatar's lifeline to Gaza
In an interview with Al-Monitor, Yousef al-Ghariz, adviser to the chair of the Qatari Committee for Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, discussed the ins and outs of the $400 million worth of projects the committee has implemented.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Yousef al-Ghariz, adviser to Mohammed al-Emadi, Qatar's ambassador to the Palestinian territories and head of the Qatari Committee for Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, told Al-Monitor that the committee is in constant communication with the Palestinian leadership in Ramallah to carry out its work in Gaza. He said the committee coordinates with Egypt and Israel on the delivery of raw materials for construction projects and discussed its involvement in addressing various emergencies in Gaza — in particular, paying the salaries of public sector employees and tackling the energy crisis.
Ghariz has served in government posts, including as Gaza minister of public works and housing for Hamas from 2012-14, as well as in academia, heading the Department of Engineering, Planning and Information Systems at Gaza’s University College of Applied Sciences. Ghariz has also headed the Environment Quality Authority.
