Arab and Islamic funds finance 210 development projects worth $72 million across West Bank, Gaza and Palestinian refugee camps in Lebanon
RAMALLAH: Arab and Islamic funds have committed $72 million for more than 210 development projects across Palestinian territories and refugee camps.
Palestinian Prime Minister Mohammad Mustafa announced the funding during a signing ceremony at his Ramallah office on Monday.
The projects span education, public works, local governance, vocational training, health, economic empowerment, community development and rural areas.
The Al-Aqsa Fund, managed by the Islamic Development Bank, provided $32.7 million while the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development contributed $38.5 million.
These projects represent part of the government’s broader national programme for development and modernisation being implemented through 10 vital initiatives.
Work continues to strengthen Palestinian resilience despite all circumstances and impediments according to the prime minister’s office statement.
The support comes as the Palestinian Authority faces a severe financial crisis stemming from Israel withholding Palestinian tax revenues.
The statement called on donor countries and international partners to pressure Israel to release withheld funds and provide immediate budget support for six months.
Israel has reportedly withheld transfers entirely for about six months with accumulated sums reaching nearly $4 billion.
Nasser Qatami, adviser to the prime minister for Arab and Islamic funds, said these funds have been true partners in bolstering Palestinian resilience.
He noted that over 23 years these funds have supported thousands of development projects across the West Bank and refugee camps in Lebanon.
More than 493,000 Palestinian refugees live in Lebanon facing difficult conditions in camps administered by Palestinian factions.
Meanwhile, Germany’s Max Planck Institute for Demographic Research estimates between 99,997 and 125,915 people died in Gaza during the first two years of war.
The researchers’ median estimate is 112,069 people with approximately 27% being children under 15 and 24% women.
The Gaza Health Ministry had reported 67,173 deaths in the first two years of the conflict. – Bernama-Anadolu
