Israel's failure to freeze settlement activity in the West Bank and its continued restriction of reconstruction materials into Gaza remain of "serious concern" for a lasting peace process, the United Nations special envoy to the Middle East Peace Process told the Security Council on Tuesday.

The Israeli government "failed" to freeze all settlement activity, including natural growth, said UN Special Envoy Robert H. Serry. And, in disregard of the Roadmap, construction continues across the West Bank.

In addition, "conditions for the civilian population remain of grave concern," Serry said, adding that the overall quality and range of goods allowed into Gaza are insufficient to support normal economic and social activity.

About 70 trucks per day have entered Gaza in the past month, he stated, 15 percent less than the daily average last month. In comparison, 392 trucks were allowed in per day during May 2007.

Reiterating past calls by UN Secrteary-general Ban Ki-moon, Serry said "it is completely unacceptable that no reconstruction materials are allowed into Gaza, when an entire civilian population was trapped in a war zone."

The United Nations is ready to start US$93 million worth of construction of housing, health and education facilities as soon as Israel gives the green light.

While Palestinian Authority Prime Minister Salam Fayad gave his approval of the reconstruction projects, it is hoped that Israel will give the go-ahead before the Quartet meets on June 26 in Trieste with members of the Arab League Follow-up Committee, Palestinian Permanent Observer to the UN Riyad Mansour told reporters after the Security Council meeting.

"There is an obligation that all settlement activity, including natural growth, should come to a complete halt," said Mansour. "Israel accepted that when they accepted the Roadmap."

(Xinhua News Agency June 24, 2009)