Now back to the aid

Qatar has just announced a massive $250m for Gaza rebuilding.

Qatar's Emir Sheikh Hamad bin Khalifa al-Thani called on Thursday for Arab countries to create a fund for Gaza's reconstruction following 20 days of Israeli shelling that has left much of the Gaza Strip in ruins.

Sheikh Hamad pledged his country would contribute 250 million dollars to the fund.

Qatar is the only Arab Gulf country to maintain commercial ties with Israel, while Egypt, Jordan and Mauritania are the only Arab countries that have diplomatic ties with the Jewish state.

Sheikh Hamad also suggested the creation of a "maritime bridge" to transfer humanitarian aid to the battered territory.

"We have not called a summit to prepare Arab armies for a war against Israel," Sheikh Hamad said in his address. "We are not dreaming," he added.