Demolished building in Gaza
Demolished building in GazaFlash 90

Senior European Union official Benita Ferrero-Waldner said Monday that the EU would give humanitarian aid to Gaza, but would hold off on rebuilding the area entirely until Hamas is out of power.

Rebuilding while Hamas is in power could be a waste of resources, Ferrero-Waldner implied. Speaking to the heads of foreign news agencies, she said, “We don't want to go on to reconstruct Gaza every I-don't-know-how-many years... What we would like to see is a clear sustainable peace.”

Several EU leaders have promised to help Israel fight weapons smuggling to Gaza along the Egyptian border. Residents of Gaza have to get involved in ending terrorism as well, Ferrero-Waldner suggested. “We have been at the side of the Palestinian population always and we will be at their side, but at the same time it's also for the Palestinian population on both sides to say 'We want peace,'” she said.

Officials in Hamas-run Gaza say approximately 1,200 residents were killed in the latest round of fighting, and $1.4 billion dollars of damage was done to buildings and infrastructure.

Arab League Pledges Aid
Arab League nations were quick to offer aid to Gaza. On Monday, less than two full days after fighting ended, Saudi King Abdullah promised his country would send $1 billion to the area.

Arab leaders are discussing a proposed $2 billion aid package to Gaza. The discussions are taking place at a Kuwait City economic conference.

Leaders slammed Israel at the conference. Syrian President Bashar Assad called Israel a “terrorist state,” and King Abdullah said Israel's attack on Hamas had been too harsh, adding that “one drop of Palestinian blood” i{ worth all the money on earth.