Secretary-General expresses hope that Israel will allow more items to enter Gaza

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24 December 2009 – After Israel’s announcement that it will allow glass into Gaza following United Nations requests to repair homes damaged during last year’s fighting, Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon today voiced hope that this will pave the way for other much-needed materials to enter the area.

Just yesterday, a UN independent human rights expert underlined in a statement that building materials necessary to repair the damage resulting from the heavy bombardment and artillery assaults could not enter Gaza.

Richard Falk, the Special Rapporteur for the Occupied Palestinian Territories, also blamed the blockade for continued breakdowns of the electricity and sanitation systems due to the Israeli refusal to let spare parts needed for repair get through the crossings.

UN spokesperson Martin Nesirky told reporters today that the Secretary-General hopes the decision to allow glass into Gaza “will be followed by further imports of needed material for reconstruction.”