Gaza residents living in tents awaiting international aid

More than five weeks after the Israel-Hamas war in the Gaza Strip, tens of thousands of people whose homes were destroyed or badly damaged in the fighting still live in classrooms, storefronts and other crowded shelters. In some of the hardest-hit areas, the displaced have pitched tents next to the debris that once was their homes.

Despite their pressing needs, reconstruction efforts appear stymied by a continued Israeli-Egyptian border blockade of Gaza and an unresolved power struggle between the Islamic militant group Hamas and Western-backed Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas.

Those involved in rebuilding say the post-war paralysis will come to an end next week, with an international pledging conference in Cairo. There, Abbas will ask for $4 billion for Gaza, including for the rebuilding or repair of more than 60,000 homes and 5,000 businesses.

Once the money is raised, a United Nations deal will ensure that large amounts of building materials get into Gaza, despite the blockade. James Rawley, a senior U.N. official involved in the reconstruction, acknowledged the deal is fragile.

“We have a window of opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the people of Gaza,” Rawley said. “But for that to happen, we need all parties to cooperate and work hard, including increasing the capacity of the (Israel-Gaza) crossings.”

Skepticism about rebuilding efforts is widespread in Gaza. The recent war was the third in the territory in just over five years. Many homes destroyed in previous fighting haven’t been rebuilt.

[AP]

This entry was posted in Humanitarian Aid, International Cooperation by Grant Montgomery.