QATAR PRESSURES JORDAN TO OPEN HAMAS’ OFFICE IN AMMAN
Doha, 1 Jumadil Akhir 1435/1 April 2014 (MINA) – One of the top issues on the agenda of the latest visit of the Qatari Emir Tamim Bin Hamad Al-Thani to Jordan was an attempt to persuade Amman to reopen Hamas’ office, Alarab Alyawm reported today.
As MEMO Reported, sources revealed to Alarab Alyawm that there have been extensive efforts exerted by Qatar to persuade Amman to reopen Hamas’ offices.
Sources said Hamas and the Muslim Brotherhood became a pressing burden on Qatar in the light of the regional Egyptian, Saudi and UAE escalation against them.
Popular and political calls on Jordan to reopen Hamas offices reached its peak last week. Several politicians joined civilians who took to the streets to protest against the killing of the Jordanian judge by Israel and have called for better relations with Hamas.
The Jordanian parliament discussed the issues related to the killing of the judge, but refused to discuss the issue of Hamas. The parliament agreed to discuss a demand that called upon the government to initiate a proposal for reconciliation between Hamas and Fatah.
Qatar Charity and the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) have signed an agreement to support the UNRWA Health programme in Gaza. Under this agreement, worth US$ 1 million, UNRWA is procuring urgently needed medicines and physiotherapy equipment for Palestine refugees through UNRWA’s network of health centers.
By securing medicines and physiotherapy equipment, this contribution will guarantee access to primary health care services for all Palestine refugees in Gaza who require medical treatment and who suffer from physical disabilities.
So far, about half of this contribution has been used to buy medicines to supply UNRWA’s central pharmacy in Gaza and other UNRWA health centres throughout the Gaza Strip. During his visit to UNRWA on 26 December 2013, Eng. Mohammed Abu Haloub, Deputy Director of Qatar Charity in Gaza said, “Qatar Charity is committed to support the needs of Palestine refugees through UNRWA;.” He added, “ We have to express our deep thanks and gratitude to all people who trust Qatar Charity, particularly those who have invested in our humanitarian assistant programs and responded to Qatar Charity appeals with donations.”
Mr Peter Ford, Representative of the Commissioner-General of UNRWA, said, “This generous donation comes at the most opportune time, given the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza, exacerbated by the cold wave that recently hit the Middle East. We are thankful to Qatar Charity and to the people of Qatar for their steadfast commitment to helping Palestine Refugees, and we are looking forward to strengthening our partnership with Qatar Charity.(T/P015/P04)
Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)
