Kuwait donates $200 million towards Gaza reconstruction

The Kuwaiti government on Tuesday pledged $200 million to support the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian official said.

Jawad Naji, the Prime Minister's adviser for Arab and Islamic funding, told Ma'an that the agreement was signed with Abdal-Wahab al-Bader, Director General of the Kuwait Development Fund.

The deal will provide $75 million for the construction of 1,500 housing units and for the construction of water pipes from the north to south of Gaza.

Another $35 million will be used for infrastructure projects and $15 million for supporting damaged agricultural and industrial structures.

Israel and Hamas fought a July-August war that killed almost 2,200 Palestinians and caused massive destruction.

Reconstruction has barely begun, with experts saying it will take years even if Israel significantly eases its eight-year blockade.

Figures published by OXFAM in February showed that 1,661 trucks of the most essential construction materials -- aggregates, steel bars and cement -- have entered Gaza in the three months since a donor conference pledged $5.4 billion for reconstruction in October, less that 0.25 percent of what is needed.

At current rates it would take up to 100 years to rebuild homes, schools and other damaged infrastructure, OXFAM said.