UN: We did not mediate between Hamas and Israel

United Nations denied that it had mediated between the Islamic Resistance Movement Hamas and Israel in order to reach a long-term truce and to agree on using the cement that enters the Gaza Strip for a number of purposes.

The United Nations Resident and Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory James Rawley told the Hebrew radio: “Currently, there are no talks taking place between representatives of the Hamas movement and the United Nations about reaching a long-term truce in the Gaza Strip,” expressing his belief that such talks should take place and should also include the Palestinian Authority.

He added: “The international organization does not have any evidence to prove the use of building materials transferred to the Gaza Strip in non-civilian purposes.”

The UN envoy acknowledged the existence of a black market for the trading of construction materials entering the Gaza Strip for the purpose of reconstruction, adding, however, that the materials are used to renovate buildings.

He reported that 16,000 houses were completely destroyed during the recent war in the Gaza Strip. None of them have been reconstructed until now, “because the money that the international community pledged to transfer has not arrived yet,” he said.

Rawley said that there is good cooperation between the United Nations and Israel with regards to the reconstruction of the sector, calling for more actions towards lifting the siege.