NGO network warns of Gaza cement ban consequences

Palestinian NGOs condemned on Sunday the Israeli ban on cement being imported into the Gaza Strip. The NGO Network warned of the consequences of such a ban on the “already deteriorated” situation in the coastal enclave, PalSawa.com has reported.

In a statement, the network said that the Israeli occupation is banning the import of cement and other construction materials as well as all kinds of exports from Gaza. “This aggravates the already deteriorated humanitarian, economic and social situation.” According to international reports, the NGOs pointed out, the ban, “Increases unemployment rates and poverty, and causes food insecurity.”

In addition, the NGOs warned of the slow reconstruction of the houses destroyed during the 2014 Israeli offensive on the Palestinian territory. They called for the acceleration of the reconstruction and repair of houses as well as the water supply, sewage, electricity and education infrastructure.

The network expressed its “disappointment” over the delay and the backing-down of the donors who pledged funds for the reconstruction of Gaza, calling on them to fulfil their pledges. It noted that only 28 per cent of the pledges made in the Cairo donor conference have been fulfilled.