Gazans hope high-rise reconstruction can boost economy
The Ministry of Public Works and Housing signed a series of contracts related to the Italian grant for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, including the reconstruction of the Italian complex that will house, once again, businesses and NGOs.
GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Almost three years have passed since the start of the 51-day Israeli war on the Gaza Strip in the summer of 2014. During this war, Israeli aircraft fully destroyed more than 11,000 housing units and partially destroyed around 160,000 others.
Mufid al-Hasayneh, the minister of public works and housing in the consensus government, posted April 5 a short documentary on his official Facebook page highlighting the ministry’s reconstruction efforts that have resulted in the completion of around 75% of reconstruction works.
On April 20, the ministry signed a series of contracts within the scope of the financial aid pledged by Italy at the Gaza Reconstruction Conference in Cairo on Oct. 12, 2014, and which include a grant of 16.45 million euros (around $18 million) for the reconstruction program of Gaza's al-Nada district.
Hasayneh told Al-Monitor, “The Italian grant will be disbursed to finance a series of contracts to be signed by the Ministry of Public Works with Palestinian construction and contracting companies. The contracts include the reconstruction of the Italian complex at a total cost of $5 million. The contracts also include the restoration of 17 partially damaged residential towers and the rebuilding of 11 towers that were totally demolished in al-Nada neighborhood, northeast of Beit Lahia, in addition to the construction of 90 housing units for the residents of Izbat Beit Hanoun.”
