On Sunday, United Nations officials called for a “real political process” aimed at ensuring long-term reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, warning of further destruction after the escalation between Israel and the armed factions in the Strip, which lasted 11 days.
At a time when the authorities were informed of the extent of the damage, and while residents began to inspect their homes and shops, a high-level UN delegation visited the Gaza Strip after a ceasefire agreement between the two sides came into effect at dawn on Friday.
The Commissioner-General of the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), Philip Lazarini, said that the reconstruction of Gaza must be accompanied by long-term efforts to avoid a new round of bloodshed. Lazarini emphasized that the reconstruction must be accompanied by “a different political environment.”
He added, “We need to focus, seriously and real, on human development and adequate access to education, jobs and livelihoods,” but he believed that this should be “accompanied by a real political process.”
In his meeting with journalists, Lazarini said: “He is really disappointed.”
According to the Commissioner-General, “the suffering in Gaza is increasing steadily due to the failure to address the root causes of the conflict.”
Lynn Hastings of the United Nations Agency for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) said: The heavy bombing has caused massive damage to the mental health of the population, not to mention material damage.
About the last war in 2014, Hastings said: “In 2014 we had breaks for humanitarian reasons, people were able to go out and go to the stores, and they felt safe again.”
She assured reporters: “We are talking about the size of the shocks they were exposed to this time, without stopping or breathing in.”
“I have not heard from people that they are seeking water, even from those 800,000 who do not have clean water,” she added.
“People are talking about the impact on their public life, and how they will recover from all of this,” she added.