Britain Announces $80 Million in Aid for Palestinians

The British government announced an $80 million aid package for the Palestinians on Sunday. The announcement was timed to mark one year since the Israeli military operation in the Gaza Strip, where planned commemorations of the fighting pretty much fizzled. Fewer than 3,000 people showed up for what its Hamas sponsors hoped would be a major rally. While most of the British aid is earmarked for use by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Authority, $11.1 million is tagged for helping Gazans through the winter. The rest of the grant will pay for teachers through the United Nations Relief Works Agency.