UN URGES PALESTINIAN UNITY, LIFTING THE SIEGE ON GAZA

**The UN’s Middle East peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov.** (Photo: PIC)

Gaza, 12 Rajab 1436/1 May 2015 (MINA) – The UN’s Middle East peace envoy Nickolay Mladenov on Thursday urged Palestinian factions to unite and asked Israel to lift its blockade of the Gaza Strip.

“Anyone who visits Gaza should be shocked of the extent of damage caused by Israel. The siege must be ended,” Nickolay Mladenov, told reporters in Gaza City.

“I strongly believe that it will hurt the cause of the Palestinian people if division, if the lack of unity, is not addressed as soon as possible”, he said, The Palestinian Information Center (PIC) quoted by Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA) as reporting.

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“I hope that the United Nations will be able to support the efforts to strengthen this unity”, he said.

He went on to say that he also agreed with Palestinian Authority President Mahmoud Abbas and the unity government to work on achieving Palestinian reconciliation.

The Bulgarian diplomat also noted that he touched “serious intention” in the Palestinian unity government towards ending the outstanding crises in the Strip for the sake of Gaza reconstruction.

He pointed out that Gaza has been facing a humanitarian crisis months after a devastating 51-day war between Israel and Hamas, with the international community warning of further conflict without Palestinian reconciliation and lifting of Israel’s blockade. The reconstruction should be based on a comprehensive concept, he added.

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“We in the United Nations, along with our partners in the international community, have a responsibility to offer humanitarian aid to Gaza and the people of Yarmouk refugee camp in Syria”, he said

Mladenov was appointed by UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in February, replacing Robert Serry, a Dutch diplomat who as UN Middle East envoy sponsored a controversial reconstruction plan for Gaza following a devastating Israeli military offensive last summer.

Nickolay Mladenov arrived in Gaza on Wednesday evening through Erez crossing in his first visit since he was appointed two months ago.

The United Nations supervise the Gaza reconstruction by coordination with Palestinian Authority and Israel within a construction plan known as Serry’s plan which is refused by Palestinians as it hinders the reconstruction for long years.

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In July of last year, more than 2,323 Gazans, mostly civilians, were killed, while thousands others were injured and 15,671 housing units across the Gaza Strip were damaged, including 2,276 that were completely destroyed during seven weeks of ferocious Israeli bombardment. (T/P011/R03)

Mi’raj Islamic News Agency (MINA)