During the 2008-2009 Israel-Gaza Conflict, the Palestinian city suffered a lot of destruction. Thousands became homeless as their homes had been destroyed and according to official sources approximately 1,300 Palestinian citizens died in the conflict that started in December 2008 and ended January 2009.
Now, donors from 75 nations of the world are to meet in Egypt – one of the neighbouring countries of Palestine – to help raise billions of dollars in order to rebuild Gaza after the devastating conflict. Sharm el-Sheikh is the Egyptian city – situated on the Southern tip of the Sinai Peninsula – where the teams meet one another to discuss the way the aid should be given to the Palestinians. Some say that US Secretary of State Hillary Clinton will commit 900 billion dollars to the cause.
Unfortunately, supplies still cannot reach those in desperate need of food and water because there are blockades at many very important crossing points. Donors try not to channel the aid through the Hamas, which is regarded as a terrorist organisation; therefore it will not be allowed to attend the international conference. The same applies for Israel that started the three-week long offensive last year; to appear as an attendee is out of the question.
Overall, the amount of money the Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas expects to be raised is almost 3 billion dollars and he expects it to be raised very quickly. He wants the aid to be channelled through by using only Palestinian areas. Mrs Clinton is to meet not only the Palestinian but the Israeli leader, as well. Meanwhile, Palestine awaits Saudi Arabia to fulfil its promise of raising 1 billion dollar for Gaza.
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