GAZA MINISTRY DISTRIBUTES CEMENT TO REBUILD HOMES

Gaza, 4 Muharram 1436/28 October 2014 (MINA) – The Ministry of Public Works and Housing on Tuesday began distributing cement to Gazans whose houses were destroyed during Israel’s devastating military offensive.

The ministry published a list on their website of the first group of people who are eligible to receive cement to reconstruct their homes, Ma’an News Agency quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

Each person listed will receive a voucher which shows how much cement they are entitled to based on the damage to their residence.

Meanwhile, the Ministry of Interior has begun to rebuild its offices after they suffered extensive damage in Israel’s assault. Workers in the ministry are based in temporary offices while the rebuilding takes place.

On Monday, dozens of refugees whose homes were destroyed by Israel protested against delays to rebuilding their homes.

The sit-in protest was held by residents of Jabalia camp and blamed UNRWA for the housing “crisis.”

Atta Dirgham, an official in the initiative, called upon UNRWA to find houses for the displaced, especially since winter is approaching.

The July-August Israeli operation in Gaza killed at least 2,100 Palestinians, and the UN said it made over 100,000 people homeless in the long term.

The cost for full reconstruction of homes and infrastructure destroyed during the war is estimated at $7.8 billion by the Ramallah-based Palestinian Economic Council for Development and Reconstruction.(T/P008/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)