Hamas won't benefit from aid money

Vast areas of Gaza were devastated during its 11-day war with Israel in May. Rebuilding bombed-out homes, schools and medical facilities, as well as repairing sanitation, water and electricity infrastructure, could cost hundreds of millions of dollars.

As Hamas usually uses aid money to buy arms and make itself strong at the expense of the residents of Gaza, a major sticking point for donors will be ensuring the much-needed assistance benefits civilians living in the besieged territory, not the militants.

Egypt, which played a vital role in brokering a cease-fire May 20, pledged $500 million for Gaza's reconstruction. Cairo insists that reconstruction work be done through its own construction companies, not putting a penny in the hands of the Hamas leaders.

Analysts say Egypt, which has been offering foodstuffs and medical supplies to Gaza since the beginning of the war with Israel May 10, does not want living conditions to deteriorate even more in the Palestinian territory that shares a border with Egypt's Sinai.

Hamas, however, has formulated a new charter with Egypt that did not include the Muslim Brotherhood, its mother organization. Decision-makers in Cairo still see Hamas as an ideological offshoot of the Brotherhood.

Qatari Foreign Minister Mohamed Abdulrahman, who met Egyptian President Abdel Fatah al-Sisi in Cairo May 25, said May 27, "We want people to know that the Palestinian people are not Hamas," even though Qatar is a traditional backer of the movement.

He added that his country will deliver financial support to those who most need it in the Palestinian territories. A day earlier, Qatar said it would contribute $500 million to Gaza's reconstruction.

President Joe Biden insisted that reconstruction aid would be provided in partnership with the Palestinian Authority and not with Hamas.

On May 25, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken said his country would try to help Gaza without aiding Hamas. Other countries are deciding their next moves on Gaza after discussions with Egypt.