The Gaza Strip rehabilitation conference begins today in Cairo, with the Palestinian Authority requesting $2.7 billion in donations, $1.326 billion to assist Gaza recovery and $1.415 billion for the PA. Secretary of State Hillary Clinton announced the U.S. intention of supporting Palestinian with $900 million in aid, $300 towards humanitarian assistance to Gaza and $600 million for the Palestinian Authority. Of the funds going towards the PA, $200 million will remedy a Palestinian budget shortfall while $400 million would assist the PA in economic initiatives, some of which would also assist the Gaza Strip. All funds for Gaza from the United States, however, would remain administered through the United Nations and not through Hamas, with the World Bank also potentially involved. However, the IDF could resume strikes on the Gaza Strip due to the constant rocket-fire levied on southern Israel from Hamas since the end of Operation Cast Lead. Israeli Minister of Religious Affairs Yitzhak Cohen, a resident of the repeatedly bombed town of Ashkelon, called for assassinations of Hamas’ leadership to curb the rocket fire.
An indictment into Prime Minister Ehud Olmert over allegedly accepting envelopes with cash from a U.S. businessman will likely be ordered by ordered by Israeli Attorney General Menachem Mazuz. The scandal led to Olmert’s resignation effective upon the completion of coalition negotiations following the recent elections.
Israel supposedly green-lit Hamas Deputy Political Bureau Chief Abu Marzuk’s brief foray into Gaza. One source told the Yediot Achronot newspaper “With out a security permission from Israel and a political permission from Egypt, Abu Marzuk would not have been able to enter Gaza.”
A contestant on the Israeli version of Survivor drew ire for Israel and Channel 10 from the GCC due to remarks regarding the prophet Muhammad.
