Storm recovery could bring Abbas to Gaza
The recent devastating storm could prompt a visit by Palestinian Authority Chairman Mahmoud Abbas to the Gaza Strip and potentially expedite Palestinian reconciliation efforts.
The Dec. 16 Facebook message was simple yet powerful: “Imagine if President [Mahmoud] Abbas visited Gaza and took a look at his people there following the winter storm. Imagine how he would be received by Ismail Haniyeh. … People who have been drowning will certainly come out and welcome him,” she concluded.
The entry was by Rawya Shawa, a prominent independent member of the Palestinian Legislative Council. It is unclear if this was an innocent wish or if she was privy to any information about the state of Palestinian reconciliation. The entry coincided with two important phone calls, one between Hamas Prime Minister Ismail Haniyeh and Abbas. That phone call followed what has been reported as a thank-you call from Hamas leader Khaled Meshaal to the Palestinian president. Press reports have said that Meshaal thanked Abbas for his efforts since the snowstorm to help out Gazans by sending badly needed supplies and intervening with the Israelis to loosen Gaza’s blockade.
Gaza’s humanitarian situation has been horrendous. The UN has reported that more than 10,000 Gazans had to relocate because of the flooding. Photos circulating around the world showed Gazans being rescued in front of their flooded homes with boats and other floating devices. Electricity has been cut off for some time because of the lack of fuel, and the desperation of the population expressed in various social media outlets is heartbreaking. Gazan blogger Mohammad Omer appealed for help online, including from his Twitter account: "I am charging my computer using a car battery to get this message out. It is so cold in Gaza."
The inclement weather has affected the local infrastructure as well. The conditions have been the Hamas government’s worst trial by far. The United Nations succeeded in getting pumps into Gaza but its spokesperson said five more pumps are needed to pump out all the water that has turned streets into still lakes. Homes have been overtaken by water, and it will be difficult to return to them even after the water has been pumped out.
