Israel urged to back Gaza rebuilding
UN: UN Secretary General Ban Ki-moon called on Israel Wednesday to
back the reconstruction of Gaza, deploring conditions there nearly a
year after a devastating Israeli military offensive.
“Ten months after hostilities ended in Gaza, we see no progress on
reconstruction or the re-opening of borders,” he said at a news
conference.Ban said 4.5 billion dollars in reconstruction aid had been
pledged at a donors conference in Egypt in March but “little if any of
that money has been delivered.”“Families have not been able to rebuild
their homes. Clinics and schools are still in ruins,” he said.
“I urge Israel to accept the UN reconstruction proposals as set
forth, recognizing that the only true guarantee of peace is people’s
well-being and security,” he said.
Retaliating for rocket attacks into Israel from Gaza, the Israeli
military swept into the Hamas-controlled territory in December and
January in a fierce campaign. Thursday, AFP |