Abbas gov't announces $600 million Gaza aid project

The government of Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas annnounced a $600 million reconstruction programme for Gaza on Wednesday, most of which would be funded by foreign donors.

Prime Minister Salam Fayyad, who heads Abbas's Western-backed government, said the project would cover all houses destroyed or damaged during a 22-day Israeli military offensive. "The amount of the project is $600 million. Most of it will come from donors," Fayyad said in a speech, adding that the

details would be announced in the coming days. (Reuters)