Urgent Appeal

Palestinians Seek $3.8 Billion for Gaza

As Abbas seeks Israel West Bank withdrawal.

Palestinian Prime Minister Rami Hamdallah has asked for $3.8 billion in urgent aid to help rebuild Gaza following the massive destruction there during the recent 50-day conflict with Israel. Hamdallah told the AP on Tuesday that Saudi Arabia has pledged $500 million and that other nations have signaled they also will contribute. He spoke at the end of a donor meeting led by Norway at the United Nations. The aid request comes as Palestinian leader Mahmoud Abbas is preparing to submit a resolution to the UN Security Council seeking a three-year timetable for Israel to withdraw its forces from the West Bank. The United States almost certainly will veto such a measure.