Qatar to fund Gaza's new industrial zone
The Israeli blockade has crippled Gaza's exports, but a new industrial zone funded by Qatar in Gaza might alleviate the coastal enclave's financial burdens.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — An industrial zone funded by Qatar is set to be established east of Gaza City, by the Karni crossing. The zone is projected to provide jobs to 5,000 Palestinian workers from the Gaza Strip, Israel’s Walla News reported July 4.
The project was discussed and approved during a security Cabinet meeting led by Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and several high-ranking security officials in May.
The industrial zone is based on the terms of the truce talks between Hamas and Israel, which have been mediated by Egypt, Qatar and the United Nations since October 2018. According to Yedioth Ahronoth, Israeli and Qatari approval of the project was delayed because of respective bureaucracies.
Now that the zone has been approved by Israel and guaranteed financing by Qatar, it is expected to start operation at any moment. Israel wants to absorb Hamas' anger after the Israeli army killed one of its members in Gaza on July 12, with Hamas threatening retaliation.
