December 13, 2021
1 min read

Palestinian official: Israel impedes reconstruction in Gaza

A senior Palestinian official has accused Israel of impeding the process of reconstruction in the besieged Gaza Strip, which is ruled by the Hamas…reports Asian Lite News

Naji Sarhan, undersecretary of the ministry of housing and public works, told a news conference in Gaza city that the reconstruction plan “is going very slowly”, and Israel is “fully responsible”, reports Xinhua news agency.

The Palestinian side had earlier accused Israel of not showing any commitment to reconstructing what had been destroyed in an offensive by Israel in May.

Palestinian official: Israel impedes reconstruction in Gaza

On May 10, Israel and Hamas engaged in an 11-day large-scale aerial offensive on the Gaza Strip.

During the conflict, more than 250 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed.

The wave of conflict ended after Egypt brokered a ceasefire agreement between the Hamas-led militants and Israel on May 21.

According to the official figures, around 1,800 housing units in the Gaza Strip were destroyed, and 16,800 units had been damaged during the 11-day attack.

“Israel’s attacks on the Gaza Strip, home of more than 2 million Palestinians, exacerbated the humanitarian, economic and social crises,” Sarhan said, adding that the latest wave of tension caused a direct loss of $420 million.

“Qatar and Egypt have pledged a financial grant of $500 million each for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip,” Sarhan said, adding that Germany donated $9 million and other states donated $20 million.

ALSO READ: Israeli soldiers kill Palestinian man, injures two in West Bank

After the conflict, Egypt sent engineers, construction equipment, and Egyptian workers to help remove the rubble of the destroyed buildings. But Israel tried to ban the shipment of raw materials to Gaza “to pressure Hamas to lessen its demands for reaching a permanent truce agreement. But under international pressure, Israel allowed the shipment of all materials for the first time in years”, Sarhan told Xinhua in November.

The progress of Gaza’s reconstruction, which may last for several months, depends on the political situation and field conditions, he added.

Previous Story

China continues infiltration of US universities

Next Story

Saudi approves 2022 state budget with $24bn surplus

Latest from Arab News

Pakistan Day celebrated in Oman

On the occasion of Pakistan Day on March 23, a grand ceremony was held at the Embassy of Pakistan in Muscat, Oman.  The ceremony began with the recitation of the Holy Quran

Cleveland Clinic, G42 revolutionise healthcare with AI

The collaboration aims to enhance patient care, drive medical innovation, and optimise healthcare operations through AI-powered solutions In a groundbreaking partnership, Cleveland Clinic and Abu Dhabi-based artificial intelligence (AI) leader G42 have

UAE, Egypt Renew Ties

The two leaders exchanged greetings and best wishes for the remainder of the holy month of Ramadan and engaged in cordial conversation reflecting the strength of the close ties between their two

Palestine Seeks Emergency Arab Meet 

Palestine’s Permanent Representative has accused Israel of committing “crimes of aggression, genocide, and ethnic cleansing” against Palestinians. He also pointed to Israel’s blockade on electricity and humanitarian aid, which has exacerbated the
Go toTop

Don't Miss

32 more killed in Gaza as Hamas studies new Israeli truce proposal

The Israeli military has massed dozens of tanks and armored

Israeli PM Bennet to visit India early next month

The purpose of the visit is to advance and strengthen