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Israeli blockade, Palestinian strife hinder Gaza rebuilding By Amira Hass Tags: Israel News, Palestinians  Click here for more articles by Amira Hass Despite the generous donations expected to be promised at next month's Sharm el-Sheikh summit, money alone will not be enough to rebuild the Gaza Strip in the wake of Operation Cast Lead, stated the head of the United Nations Development Program in Gaza. Khaled Abdel Shafi said three basic conditions must be met for reconstruction to take place: The border crossings must be opened to allow in raw materials and construction needs; there must be a long-term cease-fire with Israel; and the Palestinian leaderships in the Gaza Strip and in the West Bank must reconcile. Advertisement Money earmarked Both the UNDP and the UN Relief and Works Agency have significant amounts of money earmarked for various construction projects in Gaza, but they cannot advance because Israel is blocking raw materials, including construction materials, from entering the Strip. The Sharm el-Sheikh donations are expected to meet a similar fate. Meanwhile, several Arab states that have promised generous sums for reconstruction have already warned that they will provide the money only if the rival Fatah and Hamas leaderships reconcile. Another round of talks between Fatah and Hamas is slated to begin in Cairo on Wednesday, but independent Palestinian figures are pessimistic about their chances for success. They believe the donors conference could actually make the situation worse, due to the consistent snubbing of Hamas. The Palestinian Authority government in Ramallah has drafted a reconstruction program for Gaza, based on UN damage assessments, that it will present at Sharm el-Sheikh. Related articles: Clinton warns Israel over delays in Gaza aid Neighbors / Gaza's rehab problem Bookmark to del.icio.us   West Bank shooting Two Israeli policemen die after shot while on patrol near Masu'a settlement. Madoff hits Sesame Street Watch: Ernie and Madoff Monster put financial scandal into terms even kids can grasp.   1.   No Shalit, No Open Crossings 03:03  |  Ron 25/02/09   2.   GAZA Missiles hinder life in Israel,quid pro quo.No such thing 05:06  |  PETER SM 25/02/09   3.   #1, Ron....not very likely, explanation or not... 05:20  |  Silvienne 25/02/09   4.   NO OPEN CROSSING NO TRUCE NO SHALIT 05:26  |  CESARE 25/02/09   5.   Gilad without explanation NOW! Or blocade will look like heavens 05:33  |  Miron 25/02/09   6.   Money will not be enough. The end of attacking Israel and the... 05:45  |  Jehudah Ben-Israel 25/02/09   7.   #2 The marvelous logic of a true-blue zionist.... 07:38  |  Johnboy 25/02/09   8.   How can we make sure 07:48  |  Tzfonit 25/02/09   9.   Silvienne - Ron`s Logic of King John 08:04  |  Mark of Lewiston 25/02/09   10.   Johnboy 08:51  |  TonyL 25/02/09   11.   #5 09:31  |  Roula Nikolopoulou 25/02/09   12.   You Guys Do Not Understand 11:07  |  Joseph 25/02/09

Read & React Israel on verge of finalizing terms of Shalit exchange deal Responses: 6 UN urged to probe alleged Israeli and Palestinian war crimes in Gaza Responses: 7 Pentagon chief: Israeli attack on Iran would endanger Mideast Responses: 25 Yehuda Ben-Meir: Olmert, don't surrender to Hamas extortion over Shalit Responses: 3 Two Israeli policemen die in West Bank shooting Responses: 17 More Headlines 11:48 Shalit negotiators in Cairo 'likely to return with deal' 10:58 ANALYSIS / Are Olmert's efforts to reach Shalit deal just an alibi? 12:55 Israeli Arabs to Hamas: Include our prisoners in Shalit swap 10:25 'Imad Mughniyeh Group' claims West Bank killing of two Israeli policemen 12:08 Netanyahu advisors tell him to push ahead with Syria track 12:28 EU: Ties with Israel depend on its commitment to peace process 09:21 Saudi Arabia warns Iran: Stay out of internal Arab disputes 10:51 WATCH: Daily news round-up from Israel 09:20 Likud and Yisrael Beiteinu agree on coalition deal 11:03 Pentagon chief: Israeli attack on Iran would endanger Mideast 12:38 Khatami may withdraw from Iran's presidential race 12:24 Gaza families don't know who Israel will free for Shalit 09:44 Netanyahu considering appointing Druze minister 09:21 Modesty patrol 'mercenary' gets 4 years for assaulting woman 12:29 First Israeli gay man gets 'maternity' leave Previous Editions Select Day 15 mar 13 mar 12 mar 11 mar 10 mar 09 mar 08 mar 06 mar 05 mar 04 mar 03 mar 02 mar

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