EU announces 1-bln-USD initiative for Gaza recovery

The European Union (EU) on Monday announced a nearly 900-million-euro international package to support the early recovery of Gaza, while reaffirming financial backing for the Palestinian Authority and its reform efforts. EU commissioner for the Mediterranean Dubravka Suica announced the headline figure of "almost 900 million euros or one billion dollars" at the start of a donor meeting in Brussels.

The initiative, joined by several European countries, Japan, Switzerland, Canada, Australia, the World Bank and other partners, will focus on restoring essential services, rebuilding critical infrastructure and strengthening governance in Gaza. Suica said the EU had also agreed with Israel to move forward with two early recovery projects on water supply and solid waste management.