Share
Email
PrintIsrael allows construction of 1,200 new homes in Gaza
(JTA) -- Israel will allow the construction of 1,200 new homes and 18 schools in the southern Gaza Strip.
It will be one of the largest building projects in Gaza in years.
Israel’s Civil Administration made the announcement Tuesday, The Associated Press reported. The homes will replace some of the 60,000 houses the United Nations says were damaged or destroyed during Israel’s military offensive against Hamas in early 2009, as well as others destroyed in earlier operations in 2003 and 2004.
Since Hamas took control of the Strip in 2007, Israel has banned the entry of construction materials including cement, metal and glass, for fear they will be converted to violent use.
U.N. Spokesman Adnan Abu Hassna told reporters that he welcomed the announcement, and that the United Nations is awaiting the arrival of thousands of trucks full of construction materials so the building can begin. Abu Hassna said the projects are being funded by Japan and Saudi Arabia.
Click to login and write a letter to the editor or sign up for the Daily Briefing.
This article was made possible by the support of readers like you. Donate to JTA now.
Featured Content
Need to know? Get JTA's free e-newsletters!
- Gingrich to address AIPAC
- Wife of slain Iranian scientist: His goal was ‘annihilation of Israel’
- Israeli committee approves housing in West Bank’s Shiloh
- In Japan, Israelis bring trauma expertise to tsunami victims
- Op-Ed: Community security is everyone’s responsibility
- IAEA leaves Iran without progress
- Preseason victory for Mets—against a kosher vendor
- McCain bemoans ‘daylight’ between U.S. and Israel over Iran threat
