Cairo/Information Office / 12 October 2014/HE the Foreign Minister Dr Khalid bin Mohamed Al Attiyah has said that the State of Qatar will contribute with an amount of $1 billion for Gaza reconstruction. Speaking at the international conference on rebuilding Gaza being held in Cairo, HE Al Attiyah said that the Palestinian people in Gaza was the target of the most horrendous aggression, adding that the 50-day aggression killed thousands of innocent civilians, destroyed the infrastructure, houses, places of worship, health and educational facilities among others, given the inability of the international community to put an end this repeated tragedy against innocent and unarmed Palestinian people in the Gaza Strip. HE the Foreign Minister said that the broad international participation in the conference reflected the international community's firm vision toward the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, hoping that it would fulfill the aspiration of Gaza Strip's population in rebuilding Gaza, maintaining its infrastructure and providing basic services such as health care and education and return of displaced people to their villages and towns. Dr Al Attiyah stressed that while the Palestinian people are in need funds for the reconstruction, they are also in dire need for the international community's political support to achieve their inalienable rights and to establish an independent state. He reiterated that the just peace is the true guarantee for sustaining what will be rebuilt and reconstructed, adding the international community, particularly the international parties concerned with the Middle East Peace Process should bear their responsibilities and exert all efforts to force Israel to comply with international will on halting settlement activities and the implementation of all resolutions of international legitimacy to reach comprehensive peace in the Middle East, which will only be achieved through the establishment of an independent Palestinian state on the 1967 borders. Since 2012, Qatar has been contributing effectively to all international efforts to rebuild the Gaza Strip and has implemented projects in health and education services and provided fuel for power plants to facilitate the living conditions in the Gaza Strip, HE the Minister pointed out. Qatar granted $27 million to the victims of severe weather, and provided $16 million through Qatar Red Crescent, in addition to $6 million given to UNRWA to alleviate the suffering resulting from the aggression, HE Al Attiyah said, pointing to the amount of $60 million provided by Qatar as salaries to the Palestinian staff in coordination with the Palestinian Authority and the UN Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process. Another $60 million for fuel to generate electricity was extended in coordination with the Palestinian Authority, HE the Foreign Minister said, adding that Qatar provided $150 million to support the Palestinian Authority and $450 million for reconstruction projects in Gaza Strip with a total of $769 million until 2014. HE Al Attiyah underlined that Qatar made consistent efforts and extended urgent aid to alleviate the suffering of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip during the recent aggression. HE the Foreign Minister expressed Qatar's appreciation to Egypt and Norway for co-chairing, coordinating and arranging to hold this conference, expressing thanks to Egypt for its good organization, reception and hospitality.