Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait to Fund Separate Reconstruction Projects in Gaza

A truck brought cement through the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza at the beginning of September (AFP)
A truck brought cement through the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza at the beginning of September (AFP)
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Egypt, Qatar, Kuwait to Fund Separate Reconstruction Projects in Gaza

A truck brought cement through the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza at the beginning of September (AFP)
A truck brought cement through the Kerem Shalom crossing into Gaza at the beginning of September (AFP)

Member of the Islamic Jihad movement Daoud Shehab has hailed talks with Egyptian officials on reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, which he said will start in the coming weeks.

He told a local radio station that Cairo informed the Islamic Jihad that the delivery of required construction materials will take place without any conditions.

His remarks were made days after the Egyptian presidency and Qatari envoy Mohammed Al-Emadi announced that the reconstruction will kick off in Gaza soon.

Earlier in the week, Spokesman for the Egyptian Presidency Bassam Rady said that the presidency announced it will start reconstruction work in the Palestinian enclave in the coming days.

The first phase of removing rubble is complete through the Egyptian $500 million initiative to reconstruct Gaza, Rady said.

Days earlier, Emadi announced that the access of construction materials to Gaza has been agreed upon.

Asharq Al-Awsat newspaper was informed by sources that the Egyptians and Qataris will fund projects separately.

The sources added that the factions have been formally informed about the move.

Head of Palestinian Contractors' Union Alaa El-Din Al Araj said that Kuwait would fund the construction of residential buildings.

The construction materials are expected to start arriving in Gaza next week.



Israel's Defense Minister Warns Yemen's Houthis of Heavy Retaliation

FILED - 26 March 2024, Israel, Jerusalem: Then Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz greets German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at an hotel in Jerusalem. Photo: Christoph Soeder/dpa
FILED - 26 March 2024, Israel, Jerusalem: Then Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz greets German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at an hotel in Jerusalem. Photo: Christoph Soeder/dpa
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Israel's Defense Minister Warns Yemen's Houthis of Heavy Retaliation

FILED - 26 March 2024, Israel, Jerusalem: Then Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz greets German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at an hotel in Jerusalem. Photo: Christoph Soeder/dpa
FILED - 26 March 2024, Israel, Jerusalem: Then Israeli Foreign Minister Israel Katz greets German Foreign Minister Annalena Baerbock at an hotel in Jerusalem. Photo: Christoph Soeder/dpa

Israel's defense minister on Thursday warned Yemen's Houthis will suffer heavy blows if they continue to fire at Israel and that its defense forces are prepared for any mission.

US President Donald Trump announced on Tuesday the US would stop bombing the Iran-aligned Houthis in Yemen, saying that the group had agreed to stop attacking US ships.

A ceasefire deal between Yemen's Houthis and the US does not include sparing Israel, the Houthis said on Wednesday, later saying they targeted Israel with drones.

"Israel must be able to defend itself on its own against any threat and any enemy," Defense Minister Israel Katz said in a statement on X.

"The Houthis will suffer heavy blows from Israel if they continue to fire at us”, he said, adding that the Israeli army is prepared for any mission.

Katz also cautioned the Iranian leadership, which he accused of financing and arming the Houthi organization, declaring that the proxy system is over and "the axis of evil has collapsed."

He stated that Iran bears direct responsibility and warned that actions similar to those taken against Hezbollah in Beirut, Hamas in Gaza, Assad in Damascus, and the Houthis in Yemen could be carried out in Tehran.