Israel bans entry of cement to Gaza, suspends projects worth $200m

Israel’s prevention of the entry of cement into the Gaza Strip has suspended $200 million worth of construction projects, Head of the Popular Committee for Ending the Siege on Gaza Jamal Al-Khodari said yesterday.

According to Felesteen newspaper, Al-Khodari said that the prevention of the entry of cement caused hundreds of contractors to suspend their work, including rebuilding homes destroyed in Israel’s 2014 offensive on Gaza.

Al-Khodari said that the suspension of work in these projects caused much direct and indirect losses to the contractors and owners. It also increased unemployment and poverty rates.

“This prevention doubles the suffering of the Gazans in all fields of life,” Al-Khodari said, noting that the Israeli occupation did not commit to the pledges it made during the ceasefire agreement.

Al-Khodari renewed his called for the international community to put “real pressure” on the Israeli occupation in order to end its siege.

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Israel stops entry of cement into Gaza.

Israel cuts cement supply to Gaza: Palestinian official.

UN stops cement supplies for 70 factories in Gaza.