It was announced the militant group Hamas, which controls Gaza, and with the additional help of Qatar, the total reached about 400 million U.S. dollars.
Sheikh al-Thani is the first head of state who visited Gaza since Hamas took power there after his victory in the general election.
His arrival was greeted by the people of Gaza with Qatari flags fluttering in the streets while the song 'Thank you Qatar' played on the radio and TV stations.
Thousands of people stood on the street in Gaza City Qatar waving flags to welcome the motorcade carrying Sheikh al-Thani across the Egyptian border.
Some women throw flowers and rice from the terrace of the house to the car that took him to show respect.
"He was firm. I like him. Finally he came and visited us, and he does not play like any other appointment," said a teacher, Majed Tawel, told AP news agency.
Qatar Emir also shook hands with a number of Gazans who eagerly welcomed.
Switch from Syria
The arrival of Sheikh al-Thani welcomed by Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh, who said the visit of Sheikh al-Thani sent a powerful message.
"Gaza is not alone and the Palestinians have a place in the hearts of Arabs," he said.
"Your visit today officially announced the breakup of economic and political blockade of the Gaza Strip set by the forces of injustice," he added.
Qatar is a major supporter of Hamas after the militant group's relationship with the government of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad to deteriorate.
Israel implemented an economic blockade on Gaza after Hamas took power in the region.
In February, the Hamas political leadership announced their move from Syria to Egypt and Qatar because it can not operate effectively anymore due to the political crisis in Syria.
Hamas political bureau since 1999 headquartered in Damascus but Hamas relations with Syria deteriorated in line with the rise of anti-government protests in Syria since March 2011.
Israel questioned
While Israel-that implement an economic blockade on Gaza-questioning visit Sheikh al-Thani.
"Somewhat surprisingly, the Emir of Qatar side with Hamas, that he prefers Hamas than Fatah that he even decided to take sides in internal Palestinian conflict," said a spokesman for Israel's Foreign Ministry, Yigal Palmor.
In recent years Qatar was involved in reconciliation efforts between Hamas and rival rival, Fatah, which dominates the Palestinian Authority and controls the West Bank.
Hamas won the election in 2006 was involved in a gun battle with troops supporting Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas in 2007, and formed a rival government in Gaza.
As soon as Hamas controls Gaza completely, the Israeli government imposed an economic blockade on Gaza.
Source: International.kompas
No comments:
Post a Comment