President Sheikh Mohamed orders $5m to support UN arm for reconstruction of Gaza

Sigrid Kaag, UN's senior humanitarian and reconstruction co-ordinator for Gaza, visits UAE for talks

President Sheikh Mohamed has ordered $5 million to assist the humanitarian effort in Gaza. Photo: UAE Presidential Court

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President Sheikh Mohamed has ordered $5 million in financial aid to support the humanitarian efforts being made to reconstruct Gaza, which has been heavily damaged by the war with Israel.

The announcement was made on Saturday by Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed, Minister of Foreign Affairs, who met Sigrid Kaag, the UN's senior humanitarian and reconstruction co-ordinator for Gaza, on Friday.

Ms Kaag was visiting the UAE, where she and Sheikh Abdullah discussed the worsening crisis as a result of the war, and how to alleviate the suffering of civilians.

Sheikh Abdullah emphasised the need for a ceasefire during the meeting and stressed the need for urgent medical and relief aid to reach Palestinians without being obstructed.

He also highlighted the importance of the role of the UN in finding a way to resume negotiations to achieve peace based on the two-state solution.

Also in attendance were Reem Al Hashimy, Minister of State for International Co-operation, and Lana Nusseibeh, Assistant Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs and the UAE's Permanent Representative to the UN.

Satellite images analysed by the UN Satellite Centre show that about a third of the Gaza Strip's buildings have been destroyed or damaged in Israel's offensive.

“In total, a staggering 69,147 structures, equivalent to approximately 30 per cent of the Gaza Strip's total structures, are affected,” Unosat said this week.

It said 22,131 structures in the enclave have been identified as destroyed, with an additional 14,066 considered severely damaged and 32,950 having sustained moderate damage.

The satellite photo, from Planet Labs, of a 1km-wide path on Gaza's border with Israel on Tuesday shows recent demolition, according to an analysis by the Associated Press and expert reports.

Meanwhile, the UAE sent a ship to Gaza carrying aid including food, medicines, shelter materials, and essentials for women and children.

The ship left Fujairah Port on Saturday with provisions desperately need by Palestinians affected by the Israel-Gaza war.

More than 4,500 tonnes of goods, including mattresses, tents and food collected by UAE charitable groups will be delivered to help Palestinians prepare for Ramadan, the holiest month of the Islamic calendar.