Israeli officials were unsuccessful in their attempts to condition the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, badly damaged during the summer Israeli invasion, on a full disarmament of Hamas and other factions within the strip.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu repeatedly demanded the precondition, but it was ultimately sidelined, as the donor nations pledged $5.4 billion for reconstruction, solely on the condition that the ceasefire with Israel hold.
EU negotiator Catherine Ashton urged the resumption of peace talks between Israel and the Palestinians, saying that the long-term prosperity of the Gaza Strip required a “durable solution” of the crisis.
Israeli Transportation Minister Israel Katz was particularly critical of the pledges, saying the countries were wasting their money on “worthless donations” and that more Israeli invasions were to be expected going forward.
