3 Mar 2009

Donors pledge $US4.5 billion for Gaza

9:55 am on 3 March 2009

International donors on Monday pledged almost $US4.5 billion to help rebuild Gaza.

But foreign leaders meeting insist that the money must bypass Hamas, which is boycotted by the West as a terrorist group.

The Palestinian Authority was seeking $US2.8 billion from some 70 countries and donor groups meeting in the Red Sea resort of Sharm El-Sheikh.

The meeting was hosted by Egypt. Foreign Minister Ahmad Abul Gheit said donors also called for "the immediate, total and unconditional opening of all of Gaza's borders with Israel."

It is six weeks since the fighting in Gaza, from 27 December - 18 January between Israel and Hamas.