Palestinian Authority (PA) Planning and Financial Minister Shukri Bishara yesterday singed a deal with the Italian General Consul in Jerusalem, David Cecilia, to support the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, local Palestinian news agency Sawa reported.
The money is aimed specifically at reconstructing houses demolished by the Israeli bombardment of the Gaza Strip during last year’s Israeli war.
Bishara said that this would improve and accelerate the reconstruction of Gaza, noting that the Italian government has signed a number of agreements to support several sectors in the Palestinian territories.
He also thanked the Italian government for its sustainable and continuous support for the Palestinian cause despite the financial crisis that hit Italy in 2007.
Meanwhile, Cecilia said that by signing this deal, Italy would have fulfilled its pledges towards the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip which it made during the Donor Conference held in Cairo, Egypt, one month after the end of last year’s Israeli offensive on coastal enclave.
He added that this payment was made in favour of a number of houses in Beit Hanoun, north of the Gaza Strip, and the Italian Residential Building in central Gaza City.
He also hailed the latest financial and administrative reforms carried out by the PA in a number of its ministries.