Israel allows entry of metal rods for reconstruction of Gaza

Israel yesterday allowed reinforcement rods to enter the besieged Gaza Strip for the first time since it ended its latest offensive against the enclave on 21 May.

In a statement, Director of Karm Abu Salem (Kerem Shalom) commercial crossing, Bassam Ghaben, said: “The Israeli occupation authorities allowed the entry of building steel rods for merchants for the first time in more than 100 days.”

Ghaben stated that the steel rods entered Gaza through the old mechanism agreed between the Israeli occupation, Palestinian Authority and the United Nations known as GRM.

Only certain retailers that accept the monitoring of the process of delivering the materials to the recipients will be provided the goods, he explained.

Economists and merchants in Gaza have complained about the complexity of this mechanism which causes delay to construction projects in the Strip.

According to the Housing Ministry in Gaza, 20,000 housing units were completely destroyed by the latest Israeli offensive, and a further 22,000 were partially damaged.

READ: Israel allows entry of more commodities to Gaza