![Hamas' political bureau chief Ismail Haniyeh addresses supporters during a rally in solidarity with the Palestinians outside Qatar's Imam Muhammad Abdel-Wahhab Mosque in the capital Doha on 15 May 2021. [KARIM JAAFAR/AFP via Getty Images]](https://i0.wp.com/www.middleeastmonitor.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/05/GettyImages-1232911536.jpg?fit=1100%2C800&ssl=1)
The head of Hamas’ Political Bureau, Ismail Haniyeh, praised Qatar for pledging $500 million to help rebuild the besieged Gaza Strip after the recent Israeli aggression.
In a statement issued yesterday, Haniyeh offered his appreciation for the “generous stance” of the Emir of Qatar, Sheikh Tamim Bin Hamad Al Thani, stressing that Doha’s support for Gaza has been ongoing for many years, especially during the Israeli blockade.
On Wednesday, Qatari Foreign Minister Muhammad Abdul Rahman Al Thani announced that Qatar has pledged $500 million to support the reconstruction of Gaza, which was partially destroyed following 11 days of Israeli bombardments which came to an end on 21 May.
“We will continue to support our brothers in Palestine to reach a just and lasting solution by establishing their independent state,” Al Thani said.
The Israeli onslaught on Gaza has destroyed the enclave’s infrastructure including health and educational facilities, roads, residential buildings, as well as power generation and water supplies.
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) announced that the recent Israeli aggression has displaced more than 75,000 Palestinians from their homes, with 28,700 of them taking refuge in the agency’s schools, either because of the demolition of their homes, or to escape the bombing.
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