- Qatar will fund a brand new HQ for the Palestinian Authority in the Gaza Strip
- The news comes after PA leader Mahmud Abbas asked Doha for cash in the wake of the recent reconciliation deal
- The PA will re-enter Gaza for the first time in a decade in December as part of a unity government
- However, Israel has said it will not recognize the government unless Hamas lays down arms
A brand new HQ for the Palestinian authority is set to be bankrolled by Qatar following the recent reconciliation deal between Hamas and Fattah.
The news comes just weeks after the former rivals announced that they had brokered a peace deal with the help of the Egyptian government in Cairo.
The move will see Hamas hand over control of the Gaza Strip t the Palestinian Authority following a controversial decade in charge.
Qatari cash will be used to fund the building of a new headquarters for the Palestinian Authority in the strip once the PA takes control of the land on Dec. 1.
“Qatar has agreed to build the headquarters of the presidency and the headquarters of the Palestinian government in Gaza after the consensus government assumes its duties fully,” Qatar’s envoy to Gaza Mohammed al-Amadi announced.
The deal comes after Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas asked Qatar for funding in the wake of the Cairo deal.
The deal has led to talks about forming a new government which would include both Fattah and Hamas representatives.
Israel has said it will not recognize the new government unless Hamas disarms and agrees to recognize the existence of Israel.
These views have been echoed by representatives in the United States, however, Hamas officials have said that laying down arms isn’t an option for the group.
Qatar has a long history of supporting residents of the besieged Gaza strip.
In 2014, Qatar pledged $1 billion toward the reconstruction of Gaza Strip after Israeli airstrikes destroyed entire neighborhoods and killed hundreds of civilians.
The brutal 50-day onslaught came after militants fired rockets at Israeli territory.
“Qatar announces its participation with $1 billion for the reconstruction of Gaza,” said Khalid bin Mohammad Al Attiyah, the foreign minister of the gas-rich country, said at the time.
Questions were raised earlier this year as the Gulf crisis squeezed Qatar, about whether the support would continue.
However, Qatari officials were quick to reassure their counterparts in Gaza during a state visit earlier this year.
