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UN Mideast peace envoy urges world to help Gaza in farewell visit

Xinhua, March 3, 2015 Adjust font size:

Robert Serry, United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Process, urged world countries to assist in rehabilitation efforts in the Gaza Strip on Monday.

Serry, who has just finished serving in his post after seven years, talked about the slow rehabilitation of Gaza following the 50-day war last summer, known as Israeli Operation Protective Edge.

The Dutch diplomat made the comments at the end of his farewell visit to the Strip. He will be replaced by Bulgarian diplomat Nikolay Mladenov.

"After seven years and three wars in Gaza, with the last one leaving the Strip devastated, I can honestly say that for the UN and myself, Gaza has always been a top priority. I wish I could say the same for everyone," Serry said, detailing the activities of UN relief agencies in Gaza.

"I urgently call on all stakeholders, including the (Palestinian) Government of National Consensus, Palestinian factions, Israel, Egypt and the international community to alter their failed policies. Six months after the ceasefire, I am deeply concerned that not enough progress is being exerted to address Gaza's underlying issues," Serry added in his statement.

He said that while 72,000 households of Palestinians in the Gaza Strip obtained clearance to receive construction materials to rebuild their homes, the rehabilitation pace has been slow, with only a small share of the 5.4 billion U.S. dollars pledged in donations actually delivered. He also talked about the Rafah Crossing which had been "practically closed" by the Egyptian side.

Regarding the future of the strip, the diplomat explained the rehabilitation would take years and would require a long-term "reconstruction Hudna," meaning a sustained ceasefire in the region, hoping for a permanent solution in the long-term amid a comprehensive two-state peace agreement between Israel and Palestine.

"During my visit, I urged my counterparts in Gaza to commit themselves to what will be required from them, a multi-year freeze to military activities above and below ground," Serry said. "I have received indications that they are willing to consider this, provided other parties respond by further opening crossings to enable Gaza's full and accelerated recovery and reconstruction."

Two weeks ago, Israel published a list of measures aimed at easing the security blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip since 2007, the year in which Hamas took over the enclave. Hamas is deemed by Israel, the U.S., Egypt and several other countries as a terrorist organization.

According to the office of the Coordinator of Government's Activities in the Territories (COGAT), the number of daily permits for Gaza merchants would double from 400 to 800 and 50 students would be allowed to travel and study in the West Bank.

In September, Serry told the U.N. Security Council that Israel and Palestine reached a trilateral agreement over the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip. He said a lead role would be assumed by the Palestinian Authority, monitored by the UN. The UN also assured Israel that materials going into the strip would not be used for military purposes.

According to the an estimate by the Palestinian Authority, the cost of rehabilitating the strip would amount to about 7.8 billion U.S. dollars, two and a half times above the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) of the strip.

Israel occupied the West Bank and Gaza Strip territories in the 1967 Mideast War, and withdrew its soldiers and citizens from the Gaza Strip in 2005, two years before Hamas rose to power.

Since 2007, Israel employed a restrictive policy, allowing people to leave the strip mainly for humanitarian purposes. Israel restricts goods that could be imported into the Strip, specifically materials that could also be used for military intent.

Following the August 26 ceasefire agreement between Hamas and Israel, various reports suggested that Israel and Palestine are to resume negotiations in the upcoming months in order to reach understandings over key issues and arrive at a more permanent truce. However, no further contact has been reported since September. Endit