The deadline also sees the end of about $60 million in US aid for the Palestinian security forces, whose cooperation with Israeli forces helps maintain relative quiet in the West Bank. “At the request of the Palestinian Authority, we have wound down certain projects and programs funded with assistance under the authorities specified in ATCA in the West Bank and Gaza, a US official told Reuters on Friday. “All USAID assistance in the West Bank and Gaza has ceased.”It was unclear how long the cessation would be in effect. The USAID announcement comes after humanitarian officials in the West Bank and Gaza said they were facing a general cutback in funding from donors worldwide. USAID will continue to implement conflict management and mitigation grants in Israel, with Jewish and Arab participants, the official said.

Source: bd News24 February 01, 2019 10:18 UTC