Egypt, Qatar share ‘grave concern’ over escalation in Gaza
Egypt and Qatar have emphasised their support for the Palestinian people in a joint statement after Egyptian President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi met Qatari Emir Sheikh Tamim bin Hamad Al Thani in Doha.
“The two sides have expressed their grave concern over the continued escalation in the Gaza Strip and stressed the importance of continuing joint efforts to achieve an immediate and sustainable ceasefire, ensure the delivery of urgent humanitarian aid to civilians, and support reconstruction efforts to alleviate the suffering of the brotherly Palestinian people,” the joint statement said.
It added that the leaders emphasised the “centrality of the Palestinian cause for Arabs”.
The statement also backed efforts to “achieve Palestinian national reconciliation and the need to unify Palestinian ranks” and affirmed support “for the Gaza reconstruction plan” proposed by Egypt and backed by the Arab League.
European pledge to increase funding not enough for ailing Palestinian Authority
The Palestinian Authority [PA] sees the European Union’s pledge to increase its financial support with a three-year package worth about 1.6 billion euros [$1.8bn] as a positive step that signals political engagement.
But in reality, this sum is like a Band-Aid or a plaster for a patient in the intensive care unit.
There is a $2bn deficit in the 2025 Palestinian budget, and that’s not because there isn’t enough income but because Israel takes 70 percent of the Palestinian government’s income under different pretexts.
The 1.6 billion euros from the EU will begin to be distributed from this year until 2027, and 620 million euros [$702.4m] of the earmarked money will go to the PA as direct assistance over the coming years.
Around 300 million euros [$339.9m] will be distributed for 2025. That’s barely enough to fund one month of government spending. PA civil servants are only paid around 70 percent of their income, and they haven’t yet been paid their salaries for March.
Macron urges ‘reform’ of PA for post-war Gaza plan
French President Emmanuel Macron has called for “reform” of the Palestinian Authority (PA) as part of a plan that would see the West Bank-based body govern a post-war Gaza without Hamas.
“It is essential to set a framework for the day after: disarm and sideline Hamas, define credible governance and reform the Palestinian Authority,” Macron said on X after a phone call with PA President Mahmoud Abbas.
“France is fully committed to securing the release of all hostages, the restoration of a lasting ceasefire, and immediate access for humanitarian aid to Gaza,” he added.
