Focusing on the results of the conference and steps that must be taken to end the conflict, the Oman Tribune said: “It remains to be seen if all the nations would fulfil their promises. At a donors’ meeting after the Israeli attack on Gaza in 2009 about $5 billion (Dh18.39 billion) was pledged. The sad fact was that just a fraction of the promised amount was channelled to Gaza. Will this happen again? Only time can tell whether various governments, which took part in the meeting, [will] forget their promises once again.
“It is possible that nations may have realised the futility of funding Gaza reconstruction. A few years after a major reconstruction work is completed, the Israelis attack and destroy much of what is built with aid money. More important are concrete steps towards a settlement of the conflict. The way is there and it is the Arab peace initiative that calls for the establishment of a Palestinian state on pre-1967 war borders.”
Adopting a similar stance, the Jordan Times stated that Israel’s aggression must stop. “Gaza was subjected to three bloody, destructive wars by Israel during the past six years because Israel acts at whim, with impunity. An infinitely more significant gesture major capitals could make would be to end, once and for all, Israel’s aggression. Money may help rebuild Gaza, but how can the world ‘compensate’ for the loss of innocent life? Countries the world over have also been working, to various degrees, to the benefit of the Palestinians, but the real significant effort — of imposing permanent peace through the United Nations — has been sadly lacking. Now, the Cairo conference pledged more aid to Gazans ... The best gift, however, would be to grant the Palestinians the right to live in peace and security.”
Generosity in extending a helping hand to the needy in the region and beyond is a trait of the UAE’s leadership, Dubai’s Al Bayan said. The paper noted that UAE foreign policy prioritises donations to countries facing hardships. “The UAE’s generous donation for the reconstruction of Gaza is another addition to the ... aid provided by the country in various regions around the world. This emphasises the UAE’s support for Gaza to alleviate the sufferings of its residents and improve living conditions in the Strip in particular and Palestine in general. The UAE continues to provide material and financial support to the Palestinian people ... It has also supported Palestine’s stance and actions in the international arena so that the Palestinians can reclaim their legitimate rights, and [the UAE has] repeatedly condemned the Israeli occupation [forces’] barbaric practices in Palestinian land.”
Qatar also continues to support its Palestinian brothers, the country’s Al Raya newspaper said. Qatar pledged $1 billion at the donors’ conference to help repair the damage caused by Israel’s brutal attack on the Gaza Strip. “More than money, the Palestinian people are in dire need of political support from the international community, which needs to start acting on its statements, be aware of the rights and suffering of the Palestinian people, as well as their aspiration to achieve a just peace and reclaim all their legitimate rights,” the editorial said.