RAMALLAH, October 27, 2014 – (WAFA) – Premier Rami Hamdallah Monday urged donors to deliver on pledge of $5.4 billion in order to commence Gaza reconstruction.

Hamdallah made his remarks during a meeting with the Local Aid Coordination Secretariat (LACS) at his office in Ramallah. He said, the funds pledged by donor countries at the Gaza reconstruction conference will be paid reconstruct Gaza and support the Palestinian government’s budget.

He stressed the importance of the immediate launch of the Gaza reconstruction given the harsh conditions experienced by the population and aggravated by the imminent winter.

Hamdallah added that the Palestinian leadership has requested a meeting with heads of the Arab Gulf states in order to urge them to offer additional funding for reconstruction.

He called upon international organizations to immediately intervene to help lift the seven-year Israeli blockade imposed on the strip and open border crossings to allow construction material’s entry into the strip.

The meeting was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and National Economy Minister, Mohammad Mustafa and the Minister of Finance and Planning, Shokri Bishara.

Donor countries pledged $5.4 billion during the Gaza Reconstruction Conference, held in Cairo on October 12. Half of pledged funds would be earmarked for rebuilding the war-battered coastal enclave following in the wake of the devastating 50-day Israeli onslaught.

K.F/M.H