UN to deduct $30m from Gaza aid

An official source in the Egyptian foreign ministry has expressed "extreme surprise" over the UN's decision to deduct $30 million in administrative costs from the aid donated for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, Palestinian newspaper Al-Resalah reported on Tuesday.

The official, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said a number of media outlets reported that the UN had deducted approximately $800,000 as a first payment for about 24,000 UN employees.

According to the source, the total sum deducted from the expected financial aid for Gaza is $30 million.

The Egyptian officials expressed his surprise over the deduction of this money and the high rate of administrative costs.

He said that this is not in keeping with humanitarian work.