Should Israel deny Palestine material and equipment it needs to rebuild its war shattered buildings?
In the four months since Israel launched its offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, little reconstruction has taken place in the Palestinian territory.
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Every day, Israel allows 80 to 100 truckloads of humanitarian aid into Gaza, but that does not include building supplies. The United Nations is calling on Israel to allow vital reconstruction materials like cement into Gaza. But Israel is resisting the appeal, citing the continuing security threat from militants.
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John Ging, director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in the Gaza Strip, says that rocket attacks have diminished in recent weeks, yet Israel has not eased its blockade.
"There's nothing going on in terms of reconstruction because the crossings are still closed. That's the key to all the misery here," Ging says. "It's hard to fathom that after all of the outpouring of concern and empathy with the plight of the people here during the January conflict, that months later they are still living in the rubble of their former lives."
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Israeli spokesman Yigal Palmor says there is a very simple reason.
"What we have there is a rebel area in secession from its own legitimate government, in an open armed confrontation with its main neighbor, Israel," Palmor says. "The real problem here is the attitude of the Hamas de facto government."
Shortages Stymie Rebuilding Efforts In Gaza : NPR
Israel seems to take the position it will deny aid to a area it destroyed because it doesn't like what the government is doing.
The US should take note of this tactic next time Israel doesn't agree to do what the US thinks is necessary for its interests in the region.
In the four months since Israel launched its offensive against Hamas militants in the Gaza Strip, little reconstruction has taken place in the Palestinian territory.
...
Every day, Israel allows 80 to 100 truckloads of humanitarian aid into Gaza, but that does not include building supplies. The United Nations is calling on Israel to allow vital reconstruction materials like cement into Gaza. But Israel is resisting the appeal, citing the continuing security threat from militants.
...
John Ging, director of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency in the Gaza Strip, says that rocket attacks have diminished in recent weeks, yet Israel has not eased its blockade.
"There's nothing going on in terms of reconstruction because the crossings are still closed. That's the key to all the misery here," Ging says. "It's hard to fathom that after all of the outpouring of concern and empathy with the plight of the people here during the January conflict, that months later they are still living in the rubble of their former lives."
...
Israeli spokesman Yigal Palmor says there is a very simple reason.
"What we have there is a rebel area in secession from its own legitimate government, in an open armed confrontation with its main neighbor, Israel," Palmor says. "The real problem here is the attitude of the Hamas de facto government."
Shortages Stymie Rebuilding Efforts In Gaza : NPR
Israel seems to take the position it will deny aid to a area it destroyed because it doesn't like what the government is doing.
The US should take note of this tactic next time Israel doesn't agree to do what the US thinks is necessary for its interests in the region.
