Subscribe to Print Edition | Sat., January 24, 2009 Tevet 28, 5769 | | Israel Time: 22:05 (EST+7)
Haaretz israel news English
web haaretz.com
Haaretz Toolbar
Diplomacy
Defense Jewish World Opinion National
Print Edition
Car Rental
Books Haaretz Magazine Business Real Estate Joy of Giving Travel Week's End Anglo File
Last update - 16:31 23/01/2009
UN: Israel cooperating in efforts to improve Gaza humanitarian situation
By Reuters
Tags: Hamas, Israel News, Gaza 

A United Nations official said on Friday Israel was cooperating in efforts to improve the humanitarian situation in Gaza but that far more had to be done to help the Palestinian territory recover after Israel's offensive.

John Holmes, the UN's Humanitarian Affairs chief, said Israel was allowing in more food and medicine into Gaza than it did before December 27, when it launched the offensive against Hamas with the stated goal of stopping cross-border rocket attacks.

"I've detected a spirit of good will on the Israeli side to help do that," Holmes said, referring to efforts by aid organizations to transfer medical, food and other urgent supplies to Gaza through border crossings controlled by Israel.
Advertisement
He said construction materials were urgently needed to rebuild thousands of homes and government buildings destroyed in fighting but the challenge remained to reassure Israel that the equipment would not be used by Hamas to manufacture arms.

"We have to be able to get in cement, we have to be able to get in pipes, spare parts, few bits of equipment of all kinds. And that's been very difficult in the past because of Israeli security concerns about rearming Hamas," Holmes said.

Israel has come under criticism for hindering reconstruction efforts in Gaza by refusing to allow in materials like cement and steel, which Israel believes could be used by Hamas to manufacture rockets.

"We have had good cooperation from the Israeli authorities in the last few weeks, actually paradoxically better than we had before the hostilities started," Holmes said.

Holmes added that Israel was allowing the daily transfer of 120 truckloads of food and medical supplies into Gaza, most of whose 1.5 million Palestinian inhabitants are aid-dependent.

Israel tightened its blockade on Gaza in 2007 when Hamas seized control of the territory after routing Fatah forces loyal to President Mahmoud Abbas who holds sway in the Israeli-occupied West Bank.

"What we need now is to get the crossing points open in a much fuller way if we are going to start reconstructing," Holmes said.

Palestinians relied on a network of tunnels dug under the border with Egypt to smuggle anything from cattle to explosives and weapons. Israel said its air force destroyed most of the tunnels during the offensive and has sought international guarantees to seal Egypt's porous border with the Gaza Strip.

Holmes said the UN was working with other parties to ease the blockade while accommodating Israel's security concerns.

"The answer may not be perfect but it has to be better than now. We really cannot go back to the old situation," he said.


Related articles:
  • UN human rights body: Gaza violence has 'devastating' effect on children
  • UN Chief: Hamas rocket attacks are 'appalling and unacceptable'
  • UN official: Israel must probe shelling attacks that damaged UN buildings in Gaza
    • Bookmark to del.icio.us  
     
    Geert accused
    Dutch MP behind film on radical Islam says move to prosecute him is political.
    Iranian uranium
    According to London Times Western powers believe Iran's supply of yellow cake could run out within months.
      1.   funniest part about this story 17:06  |  evan 23/01/09
      2.   Divine Intervention Badly Needed 17:45  |  Shimon Cleopas 23/01/09
      3.   Rockets out of cement?? 17:52  |  Eliyahu 23/01/09
      4.   Guilt brings better cooperation... 18:12  |  BBSNews 23/01/09
      5.   Divine Intervention Badly Needed 18:44  |  Shimon Cleopas 23/01/09
      6.   Egypt products aren`t classy one, mostly out of dates and fake 19:29  |  Tamir Palestine 23/01/09
      7.   #2 BBS "The rockets would have stopped" 20:19  |  H 23/01/09
      8.   BSNews 20:29  |  sar chasm 23/01/09
      9.   HERE IS THE TRUTH 20:54  |  Antonio da Silva 23/01/09
      10.   #2 Destruction brings better cooperation ... 23:05  |  DesMnsDave 23/01/09
      11.   Israel`s fight 00:54  |  Ali 24/01/09
      12.   to BBs news 01:10  |  real vision 24/01/09
      13.   "Israel allowing." 01:14  |  Maureen Ann 24/01/09
      14.   Tamir Palestine...that`s the way we are in 01:22  |  Maria 24/01/09
      15.   Unfortunately Hamas will use cement 4 bunkers & pipes 4 rockets 04:11  |  Zvi 24/01/09
      16.   John Holmes is late detecting anything in this arena 05:05  |  Bridget 24/01/09
      17.   Maureen Ann 05:31  |  JB 24/01/09
      18.   #15 JB. Israel may choose who to let through her borders... 06:29  |  Maureen Ann 24/01/09
      19.   Maureen Ann 08:42  |  Eldar 24/01/09
     Read & React
    UN rights official: Gaza evokes memories of Warsaw Ghetto
    Responses: 280
    Obama: We will aggressively seek lasting Mideast peace
    Responses: 201
    Dutch MP behind film on radical Islam: Decision to prosecute me is political
    Responses: 124
    Israel to approve aid for IDF officers accused of Gaza war crimes
    Responses: 128
    Shashi Tharoor: India watched in envy as Israel attacked Gaza
    Responses: 69


    More Headlines
    20:57 Diplomats: Obama's Mideast envoy Mitchell expected next week
    17:14 Assad congratulates Hamas on 'victory' over IDF in Gaza
    16:21 Hamas agrees to allow Fatah forces to patrol Rafah crossing
    18:07 Report: Iran's uranium supply could run out within months
    16:34 Egyptian official: Israel achieved all of its military goals in Gaza
    12:46 ANALYSIS / The IDF model that failed in Lebanon succeeded in Gaza
    03:40 Bishop's Holocaust remarks spark outrage, threaten Jewish-Vatican ties
    19:20 Man found shot to death in sand dunes south of Holon
    13:35 British officials criticize BBC for refusing to air Gaza fundraiser
    09:09 Sarkozy orders French frigate to patrol Gaza coast
    21:52 Israel to approve aid for IDF officers accused of Gaza war crimes
    10:33 Saudi envoy to U.S.: Obama must not repeat Bush's 'sickening legacy' in Mideast
    07:40 Doctors: Many Palestinians in Gaza hospitals in danger of dying from their wounds
    15:00 Israel's multi-faceted Gaza cease-fire
    Previous Editions
    Special Offers
    Advertisement
    Summer in Israel
    Israeli style - Tzofim Chetz V'Keshet 2009
    Blue And White Forever Israel Army T-shirts
    Wear with Proud Donate the Soldiers Kit
    You can make a direct IMPACT!
    on the life of an Israeli soldier
    State of Israel Bonds
    During this time of market volatility, Israel bonds can help.
    SURF RAMBAM
    Keep current about new-wave medical care, education and research.
    Summer Camp in Israel
    The best place for your children this summer
    Fattal Hotel Chain
    Perfectly located hotels on best resorts of Israel.
    Eldan Rent a Car
    Israel's leading car rental company offers you a 20% discount on online reservations
    Jewish Singles Personal Ads
    Find the love of your life on JDate.com
    Junkyard
    Junk a car - get free towing nationwide and a tax-deductible receipt
    Home | TV | Print Edition | Diplomacy | Opinion | Arts & Leisure | Sports | Jewish World | Underground | Site rules |
    Real Estate in Israel | Travel to Israel with Haaretz | Hotels Israel | Restaurants Israel | Tourist attractions Israel | Shops Israel
    birthright Israel | Search engine marketing
    Haaretz.com, the online edition of Haaretz Newspaper in Israel, offers real-time breaking news, opinions and analysis from Israel and the Middle East. Haaretz.com provides extensive and in-depth coverage of Israel, the Jewish World and the Middle East, including defense, diplomacy, the Arab-Israeli conflict, the peace process, Israeli politics, Jerusalem affairs, international relations, Iran, Iraq, Syria, Lebanon, the Palestinian Authority, the West Bank and the Gaza Strip, the Israeli business world and Jewish life in Israel and the Diaspora.
    © Copyright  Haaretz. All rights reserved