Abbas aide slams US plans to raise Gulf funds for Gaza projects
Abbas aide slams US plans to raise Gulf funds for Gaza projects
Nabil Abu Rudeinah, an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, alleged that such efforts aim to further separate the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
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Abbas runs parts of the West Bank and political rivals Hamas control Gaza [Getty]
A Palestinian official has condemned reported US plans to secure Gulf funding for major economic projects in blockaded, impoverished Gaza.
Nabil Abu Rudeinah, an aide to Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas, alleged on Monday that such efforts aim to further separate the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.
Abbas runs parts of the West Bank and political rivals Hamas control Gaza.
The projects reportedly include a port, solar energy grid and water desalination plant to be set up in northern Sinai near the Egyptian city of al-Arish to serve Gaza.
Sources told the Israeli newspaper Haaretz the proposed Gulf-funded projects are aimed at generating momentum before the unveiling of a US peace plan.
President Donald Trump's adviser, son-in-law Jared Kushner, is expected to visit Israel, Egypt, Jordan, Qatar and Saudi Arabia this week to discuss the situation in Gaza and the administration's proposals for an Israeli-Palestinian peace deal.
Abbas halted contacts with the administration in December, to protest what he says are blatantly pro-Israel policies.
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