Gazans demand reconstruction of destroyed homes

By Mohamed Majed

GAZA CITY, Palestine

Dozens of Gazans whose houses were demolished during Israel’s 2014 war on the blockaded Gaza Strip protested Thursday against the slow pace of reconstruction.

"We want the reconstruction of our destroyed homes," read one banner carried by protesters.

"We call on the international community to lift the siege and assume its responsibilities," read another, in reference to Israel’s ten-year siege of the Gaza Strip.

Yusuf Darwish, a Gazan who lost his home during the conflict, called on the Palestinian government to “assume its obligations toward the owners of Gaza’s destroyed homes”.

“We are homeless; we need solutions," said Darwish. “We live in tragic conditions as a result of the Israeli blockade; we want to live in dignity like other people.”

Israel's 2014 military onslaught against the Gaza Strip left some 2,250 Palestinians dead and thousands more injured -- mostly civilians -- while leaving much of the enclave’s infrastructure in ruins.

According to Israeli figures, at least 70 Israelis -- 65 soldiers and five civilians -- were killed during the conflict.