The root causes of last year’s conflict in Gaza remain unaddressed despite a growing humanitarian crisis said the UN in a statement made on Wednesday.
The Commissioner General of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA,) Pierre Krahenbuhl expressed concern at the ”despair, destitution and denial of dignity,” that resulted from the 2014 war with Israel and the ongoing blockade.
“A year after the devastating Gaza conflict that claimed over 1,500 civilian lives, including 551 children, the root causes of the conflict remain unaddressed. The despair, destitution and denial of dignity resulting from last year’s war and from the blockade are a fact of life for ordinary people in Gaza, he said”
Stressing the need for accountability, redevelopment and a political action, Mr Krahenbuhl, in a statement released on Wednesday, said,
“Resolute political action is required on a number of fronts to achieve the necessary change of paradigm in the Strip, starting with a lifting of the blockade, ensuring rights and security for all, allowing increased exports from Gaza to stimulate economic recovery, and freedom of movement for civilians. Furthermore, 315 days on from the ceasefire, not a single totally destroyed house, of which there are over 12,000, has been rebuilt. This leaves some 120,000 people homeless. There also needs to be accountability for international law violations in the 2014 conflict. Investigations must be carried out in accordance with international standards. Victims of violations should be promptly and adequately compensated and have access to an effective remedy.”
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