60% of the homes destroyed in 2014 Israeli offensive have still not been rebuilt

Palestinian MP Jamal Al-Khoudary has revealed that the reconstruction of the homes and other buildings in Gaza destroyed by the Israeli military offensive in 2014 is proceeding, but at a very slow pace, Al-Resalah newspaper reported on Sunday. According to Al-Khoudary, only 60 per cent of the homes have been rebuilt.

Around 60,000 Palestinians are still homeless due to the delay in the reconstruction of their homes, added the chairman of the Popular Committee Against the Israeli Siege on Gaza. The current procedure for importing construction material does not allow for the needs of the people to be met, he explained. The shortfall in imports also affects the rebuilding of government and NGO facilities, as well as new homes and other development projects.

Al-Khoudary stressed his belief that all of the Israeli restrictions imposed on imports are intended to delay the reconstruction process, which could take at least ten years if the situation remains the same. The independent MP not only called for the Israeli-led siege to be lifted but also for state donors to fulfil their pledges made for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

The international community, he concluded, should put pressure on the Israeli occupation authorities to allow the Palestinians to import more construction materials into Gaza.