Ending the Israeli blockade key to start rebuilding Gaza

Efforts to rebuild Gaza continue to be hampered by Israel’s blockade of the territory — so when can aid workers and donors expect this policy to be revoked? “We really can’t build anything,” Bill Corcoran, president and CEO of American Near East Refugee Aid, a U.S.-based nonprofit working on the ground in Gaza, told Devex. “We’re ready to begin some rebuilding or at least repairing projects, but we can’t even begin that right now because a simple element like cement is not available on the market.” Norway and Egypt have announced plans to hold a donor conference in Cairo focused on rebuilding Gaza — an effort that will cost $7.8 billion, according to the Palestinian Authority. But despite their demands, Israel’s blockade of the battered region is still preventing goods, supplies and even cash from going where they are most needed. Corcoran explained that in addition to cement, steel isn’t getting through. That deprives builders the use of rebars or steel piping, essential to repair Gaza’s large diameter and high pressure water system. “So we’re trying to do things with windows, with wood, maybe replacing furniture, things of that nature that we can, because those are available,” Corcoran said, underscoring that if a cement wall is blown out at a hospital or a school, it can’t be replaced. Border issues Yet another challenge for aid workers is the fact that many donors are hesitant to send any money for reconstruction projects because there simply isn’t any guarantee that such projects will ever come to fruition. “What many of them are saying is, ‘look, we’re interested in providing money for rebuilding and for the future of Gaza and all of Palestine, but not until there is a change in Israeli protocols for the importation of materials,’” Corcoran said. Israel’s final decision on the blockade largely depends on whether the Palestinian Authority can retain control of Gaza and its border with Israel, according to regional experts. Khaled Elgindy, fellow in the Center for Middle East Policy at the Brookings Institution, said a border controlled by the Palestinian Authority is feasible and a necessity. “The Palestinian Authority has to return to Gaza in order to allow for a permanent opening of the borders,” he told Devex. The Israeli government, which in the past dismissed the notion of the Palestinians controlling the border, is now starting to open up to the idea, according to Elgindy — a sign that could suggest a free-flowing border with Gaza is no more a fantasy. Michael Koplow, program director of the Israel Institute, confirmed that Israel is indeed on board with the concept. “If the outcome of the negotiations in Cairo … is that the Palestinian Authority takes control of the border crossings, I think that then you’ll see a viable way for Israel to help rebuild Gaza and to let more goods through,” Koplow told Devex. This would mean that donors such as the United States, the European Union and the Gulf states could send goods and supplies to Gaza without fear they will be held up at ports or checkpoints. The role of Hamas With the assurance that appropriate supplies are made available to aid workers on the ground, donors would also be more willing to fund reconstruction efforts. “The key for the Israelis I think is making sure that Hamas themselves do not control the crossings,” Koplow said. But whether Israel likes it or not, Hamas — considered a terrorist organization by Israel — is still a player in the region, and Elgindy noted a border crossing controlled by the Palestinian Authority cannot be achieved without at least some concessions to Hamas. “You need the consent of all actors to allow this process to go forward,” Elgindy said. “And Hamas is not going to agree to being completely cut out of the process.” So while there is both regional and international support for a free-flowing Gaza border crossing controlled by the Palestinian Authority, such an outcome will require certain political agreements and concessions — all of which take time. Donors and aid workers, at the mercy of politics, might have to exercise some patience, as well as the people of Gaza who have lacked access to basic services since the airstrikes over two months ago. Read more development aid news online, and subscribe to The Development Newswire to receive top international development headlines from the world’s leading donors, news sources and opinion leaders — emailed to you FREE every business day.