The European Union has helped mobilize 900 million euros ($1 billion) in pledges for Gaza's early rebuilding and recovery following two years of Israeli heavy bombardment that left much of the Palestinian enclave in ruins, a senior EU official said Monday.
How much of the money will be delivered, and when reconstruction of Gaza can begin, is unclear. The cease-fire between Israel and Hamas that took effect in October is effectively stalled.
European Commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica announced the fund after a meeting in Brussels of the Palestine Donors Group, which includes the EU and Middle East nations, along with international organizations and financial institutions.
"The cease-fire in Gaza remains fragile, and the situation on the ground for civilians is not getting better," Suica said. She said the money will move through "trusted partners," but didn't give details.
Few places in the Palestinian territory of over 2 million people have been left unscathed, and the U.N., World Bank and EU estimate that reconstruction will cost $70 billion.
