UN finalises plans, vision for Gaza reconstruction process

The UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has finalised the plans and vision for the process of reconstruction in the Gaza Strip, a senior official said Thursday.

Adnan Abu Hasnah, UNRWA's media advisor in Gaza, said in a press statement that the plans of the international agency are based on a complete vision and accurate statistics for the houses of the refugees that were destroyed in Gaza, Xinhua reported.

On July 8, the Israeli army launched a large-scale air and ground military operation in the Gaza Strip. The 50-day war led to severe destruction of thousands of houses.

About "80,000 houses belong to the refugees in Gaza were variously damaged during the war on Gaza ... In case financing the construction is ready, UNRWA will be able to build up 14,000 houses within two years", Abu Hasnah said.

He noted that the destruction caused by Israeli warplanes and tanks was huge and needed large and intensive efforts as well as full cooperation with all parties in order for this to succeed.

"Still there are hundreds of Palestinian engineers, researchers and specialists carrying on with their scanning and evaluation of the damages," Abu Hasnah said, adding "next week, some compensation will be paid to those who have their houses partially damaged".

UNRWA is a basic contributor in the upcoming Norwegian-sponsored donors' conference that will kick off in Cairo Sunday for financing the reconstruction in the Gaza Strip.