Failing Gaza: No rebuilding, no recovery, no more excuses

A report one year after Operation Cast Lead

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Summary

One year after the start of military action in Gaza, the international community has betrayed the people of Gaza by failing to back their words with effective action to secure the ending of the Israeli blockade which is preventing reconstruction and recovery.

The Israeli authorities have allowed only 41 truckloads of all construction materials into Gaza since the end of the offensive in mid-January, warn the authors of the report, which include Amnesty International, CAFOD, Christian Aid, Medical Aid for Palestinians, Mercy Corps and Oxfam International.

The task of rebuilding and repairing thousands of homes alone will require thousands of truckloads of building materials. Little of the extensive damage the offensive caused to homes, civilian infrastructure, public services, farms and businesses has been repaired because the civilian population, and the UN and aid agencies who help them, are prohibited from importing materials like cement and glass in all but a handful of cases.

Joint Agency Report

Authors: Oxfam International, Amnesty Intl UK, CAFOD, Christian Aid, MAP, diakonia, Mercy Corps and more

Publication date: 22 December 2009