Agence France-Presse

Riyadh, Jan 6: A mystery Saudi business tycoon has donated 25 million riyals (6.7 million dollars) to help Gazans suffering under Israel's assault on the Palestinian enclave, state news agency SPA said on Monday.

The businessman, who refused to be identified, gave the money to the government's Gaza fund after a nationwide telethon on Saturday night raised nearly 32 million dollars for the territory, including 8.0 million dollars from King Abdullah and another 2.6 million from his brother Crown Prince Sultan.

By late Sunday, before the tycoon chipped in, the government's fund-raising efforts for Gaza had brought in 132 million riyals, or 35.2 million dollars.

Saudis have offered everything from personal jewelry and, in one Jeddah man's case, a small herd of sheep, to the relief effort, according to media reports.

Arab News said the man was told to sell the sheep and donate the money to the fund.

The government has also sent several flights carrying medical supplies and personnel to Gaza and the planes have brought back a number of injured Palestinians for treatment in Saudi hospitals.

At least 523 Palestinians have been killed and more than 2,500 others wounded since Israel unleashed its "Operation Cast Lead" on December 27 against the densely populated Gaza Strip.