Translated by Tamara Barakat

Donor countries who pledged to contribute to the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip after it was heavily damaged during the Israeli aggression two years ago have only delivered 40% of the pledged aid, according to a report published by the Palestinian National Team for the Reconstruction of the Gaza Strip.

Only $1.409 billion, around 40% of total pledged aid for the reconstruction of Gaza, has been received. Donor countries are yet to deliver the remaining $3.507 billion.

The report states that so far Kuwait has provided the largest amount of aid, reaching $200 million.

It mentions that 171,000 housing units were damaged during the Israeli aggression, and the “the Palestinian government has finally arrived at an agreement with the Islamic Development Bank and Qatar to provide the needed funding for the reconstruction of Gaza, particularly for the reconstruction of completely destroyed houses.”

The report estimates the damages to the infrastructure of the Strip at around $88 million; only 24% of damages have been repaired. Damages to the agriculture sector are estimated at around $266 million. The Palestinian government has been able to provide $75.4 million to fund 12 agricultural projects.

Moreover, “around 5153 economic facilities were damaged during the Israeli aggression in 2014. The damages to the economic sector are estimated at $152 million.”

Despite the great delay in the reconstruction of Gaza, the report mentions that some progress has been made in the reconstruction of the education sector. “So far, 96% of public schools, 100% of UNRWA schools, 50% of higher education institutions, and 66% of kindergartens have been reconstructed.” Around 259 public and UNRWA schools were damaged during the aggression.

The report stressed that the Palestinian government “is making continuous efforts in following up with the donors and urging them to meet the pledges they made.”

In addition to lack of funds, the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip suffers from further delay due the Israeli siege imposed on the Strip.

A coalition formed of several governmental organizations called on Israel to lift the siege. Israel prohibits the entry of primary construction material to the Strip.

The Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA) affirmed that the Israeli-impose siege on the Gaza Strip for the last ten years “significantly hinders the reconstruction of Gaza.”