New housing units in Gaza

EXCLUSIVE PICTURES

The Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Gaza this week opened in East Jabalya, northern Gaza Strip, the first housing unit of a project to rebuild houses destroyed by the Israeli army during Operation Cast Lead.

The ceremony was attended by the Minister of Public Works and Housing Yousef al-Mansi, Deputy Prime Minister Ziad Zaza, and other government officials.

According to Al-Mezan Centre for Human Rights, 11,154 homes were destroyed or damaged during Operation Cast Lead. Of these, 2,632 were totally destroyed and 8,522 were partially destroyed. 16 months after the war the scars are still deep and Gaza has far from recovered. In fact, the siege restrictions are even tighter, making it virtually impossible to return to normality.

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In light of the continuing siege, this housing project aims to highlight the determination of the Palestinians to rebuild their lives. The Israeli ban on cement, steel and other building materials will not deter the construction efforts. This house in the attached pictures was built with rubble from destroyed buildings.

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MEMO Photographer: Mohammed Asad