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UNITED NATIONS, May 23 (KUNA) -- Sixteen months after Israeli "Operation
Cast Lead" inflicted widespread damage in the Gaza Strip early last year,
about three quarters of the damaged buildings and infrastructure have still
not been repaired, according to a United Nations report released on Sunday.
The "One Year After" report produced by the UN Development Programme (UNDP)
in partnership with the Gaza-based Engineering and Management Consulting
Center, noted that unrepaired property and infrastructure include 82.5 percent
of educational facilities, 75 percent of agricultural land and premises, and
60 percent of private businesses.
Private homes were also affected, with almost none of the 3,425 homes that
were destroyed in the conflict have been reconstructed.
The report estimated that a further USD 527 million need to be spent to
repair all the damage caused by Israeli attacks between December 2008 and
January 2009.
Israel launched its 23-day assault at the end of 2008 in an attempt, it
claimed, to halt repeated rocket attacks against it from Gaza. More than 1,400
Palestinian were killed and at least 5,000 others were injured.
In spite of Israel's refusal to allow the importation of building
materials, the report noted, a large amount of small scale repairs have taken
place, effecting one-quarter of the total damage, using recycled rubble and
building materials smuggled in from Egypt via cross border tunnels because of
the blockade instituted by Israel for "security reasons" after Hamas took
power in the Strip in 2007.
The report, which focused on both early recovery and reconstruction needs,
estimated the value of repairs carried out so far to be around USD 173
million, some of which has been paid for by compensation and grants. A further
USD 151 million of assistance has been given to Gaza in the form of employment
generation projects, food aid and other projects.
According to the report, Gaza also experienced "a degree of economic
recovery" last year, with a fall in unemployment rates, a rise in the number
of operating industrial facilities as well as continued informal trade through
the tunnels.
"However, the sustainability of this limited recovery is questionable," the
report said, citing the declining purchasing power of the estimated 1.5
million Palestinians living in Gaza and their dependence on outside aid. (end)
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