Middle East Call For Peace: Rebuilding The Gaza Strip
Middle East Call For Peace: Rebuilding The Gaza Strip
Even as there is a renewed commitment to rebuild the Gaza strip following the deadly turmoil and war that had preceeded the formation of the Fatah-Hamas unity government recently, US Secretary of State John Kerry has called for a renewal of peace between Israel, Palestine and their neighbors. The Gaza reconstruction conference raised around more than USD 5 billion to restore this area to its former state prior to the war that had recently occurred.
The US was not able to broker a peace deal in April due to Israel's objection to Palestinian political unity pact including the Islamist Hamas. Palestine's objection to the Israel settlement expansion was also a major roadblock for the deal."Out of this conference must come not just money but a renewed commitment from everybody to work for peace that meets the aspirations of all, for Israelis, for Palestinians, for all people of this region. And I promise you the full commitment of President (Barack)Obama, myself and the United States to try to do that," Kerry was quoted as having said.
"Make no mistake: What was compelling about a two-state solution a year ago is even more compelling today," Kerry also added. He indicated at the conference that an additional sum of USD 212 million in US aid would be provided to the Palestinians in the Gaza Strip in a war which left 2,100 Palestine people dead, many of them innocent citizens.
Around 18,000 homes and important infrastructure underwent destruction in a war that lasted for almost 7 weeks between Israel and Palestine's Hamas. The cost of reconstruction of the Gaza strip was pegged at USD 4 billion by the Palestinians. Norwegian FM Borge Brende announced that of the USD 5.4 billion which had been secured in aid, some could also go towards rebuilding other Palestine areas.
The Cairo meeting had some tough decisions to make ahead as it became clear that a more comprehensive solution rather than pledges and periods of calm are needed. "A ceasefire is not peace, and we’ve got to find a way to get back to the table and help people make tough choices, real choices. Choices that everybody in this room and outside of it understands have been on the table for too long, “ Kerry was quoted as saying.
Among the nations that offered reconstruction aid for Gaza, Qatar offered USD 1 billion and Kuwait as well as UES have USD 200 million while Turkey offered another USD 200 million. Developing nations also contributed to the reconstruction efforts. India contributed around USD 4 million. The Western Nations also did their bit. France contributed 40 million Euros while Germany offered 50 million Euros and the UK pledged USD 32 million. Rebuilding lives after such a massive war is hard and proponents of war from both Israel and Palestine should remember this. Peace is the only solution.
