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

India backs ceasefire, Gaza aid push

Reiterating India’s historic support to Palestine, Permanent Representative of India to the United Nations Ambassador Parvathaneni Harish said India shared strong ties with Palestinian brothers and sisters India has called for an

IAEA Team to Visit Iran in Weeks

Iran to Host IAEA Technical Team Within Weeks, Says Deputy FM Iranian Deputy Foreign Minister for Legal and International Affairs, Kazem Gharibabadi, announced that Tehran has agreed to receive a technical delegation

Victory First, Then Peace?

Katz stressed the importance of meeting the war’s goals as set, primarily the return of all Israeli hostages and the surrender of Hamas….reports Asian Lite News Israeli Defence Minister Israel Katz said

Fragile Peace in Sweida Gains Regional Support

Jordan, Syria, U.S. discuss Syria’s Sweida ceasefire in Amman as more Israeli Druze cross border to Syria to fuel tensions Jordanian Foreign Minister Ayman Safadi, Syrian foreign affairs chief Asaad Al-Shaibani, and

The illusion of normalcy in Israel

As people are trying to heal from the scars of war and resume their everyday lives, for those of us living in Israel, normalcy feels like an illusion — fleeting, easily shattered
Go toTop

Don't Miss

Bennett tests Covid positive

Israeli Prime Minister Naftali Bennett has tested positive for Covid-19,

Syrian air defence responds new Israeli missile strike in Damascus

Syrian air defence responded to a fresh Israeli missile strike