Japan will resume direct aid to the Palestinian Authority after boycotting a previous Hamas-led government for more than a year, a Japanese official said on Monday.
"It's direct assistance ... amounting to about $20 million that will be paid in eight installments," Ryuji Iwasaki, press officer at the Japenese embassy in Israel, told Reuters.
Iwasaki said details of the package were still being discussed.
Japan had joined an international aid embargo on the Palestinian Authority after Hamas Islamists won parliamentary elections in 2006.
Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas of Fatah dismissed the Hamas-led government and formed a cabinet led by Western-educated Salam Fayyad after the Islamic group seized control of the Gaza Strip in June.
The aid package was announced as Japanese Foreign Minister Taro Aso was visiting the region.
Fayyad's office said the money will mainly be used to support Abbas's government in the occupied West Bank and provide humanitarian aid to the Gaza Strip.
-
Who was St Stephen and why is he remembered on December 26?
-
The King's Christmas speech: which Gospel?
-
Gay Archbishop of Wales says some people have left Church over her appointment
-
Two hundred years of the Brethren: who are they and what do they believe?
-
2 Timothy 3:16 is Logos' Bible verse of the year, Matthew was the most studied book
-
Ringing in the New Year: A history of New Year traditions in the British Isles
Most Popular
News
Christian killings in Nigeria could double in 2026 if extremist threat is not dealt with - report
Already more Christians are killed for their faith in Nigeria than all other countries combined.
Church group praying after New Year's fire tragedy in Switzerland
The general secretary of the World Council of Churches said it was a "moment of unimaginable grief and sorrow" for Switzerland.
The story of New Year’s resolutions
1 January is when people traditionally start the new year with a fresh resolution. This is the story …
Young people more grateful to God, study finds
A new survey has suggested that 18 to 34 year olds are more likely to believe in God and have transcendental experiences.