UN envoy stresses on acceleration of Gaza's reconstruction

The UN special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, visited Gaza Thursday and stressed the environment for the reconstruction of the Strip need to improve.

During the visit, Serry said that "by the end of this month, more than 20,000 homeowners are expected to be able to procure construction material for urgent repairs of their dwellings."

The UN official stressed that "this can only be the beginning of an effective process to rebuild Gaza and much more needs to be done," Xinhua quoted UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric as saying.

"Unfortunately the operating environment continues to face many challenges, including a fragile and informal ceasefire which has not yet solidified, and a lack of empowerment of the government of National Consensus in Gaza, with no control over the crossings," the spokesman said.

"These difficult issues, coupled with insufficient financial assistance from donors, have only worsened the atmosphere in an already devastated Gaza."