World Bulletin/News Desk

The United Arab Emirates (UAE) will provide financial assistance to Palestinians injured during Israel's recent military offensive on the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian committee said Saturday.

The National Islamic Committee for Social Solidarity said that the committee will launch two phases of disbursing financial assistance to those injured during Israel's 51-day onslaught on the Gaza Strip.

Ashraf Jomaa, a senior Fatah movement figure, said that the assistance was a "gift" from UAE President Khalifa bin Zayed Al Nahyan and Crown Prince Mohammed bin Zayed.

"The UAE will also fund several relief projects in the Gaza Strip in the coming period," added Jomaa, who is close to expelled Fatah leader Mohamed Dahlan.

A Palestinian committee has begun disbursing financial assistance to Palestinians injured during Israel's devastating summer offensive against the Gaza Strip, according to one committee member.

"The first phase of financial assistance began Thursday, with those gravely injured receiving $1,500 each," Jamil Muzhir, a member of the Palestinian Liberation Front (PLF), which is represented on the committee, told The Anadolu Agency.

"Starting Friday, those with moderate injuries will receive $700 each, while those suffering minor injuries will receive $500 each on Saturday," Muzhir said.

Muzhir, who represents the PLF in the National Islamic Committee for Social Solidarity, added that preparations were currently underway "to take a survey of the families of people killed in the conflict so financial aid can reach them too."

He said that the third phase of the project will include providing financial aid to families of those killed during the Israeli onslaught.

Formed a year ago, the National Islamic Committee for Social Solidarity is composed of representatives from top Palestinian factions, including Fatah, Hamas and the Islamic Jihad.

Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas had earlier criticized the committee for allegedly being beholden to Dahlan, who currently resides in the UAE.

In February, pro-Fatah news outlets reported that Abbas had issued a decree suspending funding for the committee.

On July 7, Israel began a 51-day military onslaught on the Gaza Strip with the stated aim of halting rocket fire from the Gaza Strip.

By the time the offensive ended on August 26 with a cease-fire deal between Israel and Palestinian resistance factions, more than 2,160 Gazans had been killed – the vast majority of them civilians – and some 11,000 injured.

The National Islamic Committee for Social Solidarity was drawn up nearly one year ago with the aim of providing humanitarian assistance to the embattled Gaza Strip.

It is composed of representatives from leading Palestinian factions including Fatah, Hamas, Islamic Jihad, the Popular Front for the Liberation of Palestine, and the Democratic Front for the Liberation of Palestine.

In previous statements, Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas criticized the committee for allegedly being beholden to expelled Fatah member Mohamed Dahlan, who currently resides in the United Arab Emirates.

In February, pro-Fatah news outlets reported that Abbas had issued a decree suspending funding for the committee.