By Mustafa Caglayan
NEW YORK
The United Nations and the Arab League on Friday urged global donors to honor their funding commitments to reconstruct the Gaza Strip.
A joint statement from UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and Arab League Secretary-Gen. Nabil Elaraby expressed "deep concern" over the situation in Gaza, whose infrastructure was severely damaged after last summer's Israeli assault.
"The pace of reconstruction in Gaza remains slow," the statement said, appealing to donors who pledged $5.4 billion in aid at an October 2014 conference in Cairo to "honor and disburse as soon as possible their financial commitments."
The 51-day Gaza conflict that ended with a truce on Aug. 26, killed more than 2,100 Palestinians, mostly civilians, according to the UN.
"It is crucial now to expand the scope of reconstruction efforts thus far to bring hope to the people of Gaza and ensure stability, based on international responsibility in reconstruction and lifting the siege," read the statement.
In late January, a UN relief agency said it was forced to suspend its cash assistance program in Gaza as it had received only $135 million of the required $720 million to rebuild the Gaza Strip.
The Israeli assault left 15,671 housing units damaged, including 2,276 that were completely destroyed, according to official Palestinian figures.
