What is the present situation of Gaza Strip? This coastal region at the southeastern corner of the Mediterranean bordering Israel and Egypt has been in the news for all wrong reasons. We all know that it came to the international headlines on account of the Israeli onslaught. There is no correct information on casualty up till now but reports indicate that more than 1,330 people were killed and the destruction of homes of some 30,000 Palestinians took place. The situation is, without doubt, dreadful and the plight of the refuges may bring tears in anyone’s eyes.
Well, Gaza's Hamas-run government is leaving no stone unturned to refurbish the whole region and has partnered with international aid groups and local charities. However, for the time being, it is concentrating on makeshift tents instead of constructing new buildings or homes for refugees. Fund is really a problem and the localized government is facing its impact. Throughout the region devastated buildings that include residential properties along with school and hospitals can be easily found. This brings back the horrendous memories of Gaza's 1948 refugees for many.
According to Palestinian and some Israeli scholars, Jewish militias became instrumental in booting out more than 700,000 Palestinians before and during the war that followed the creation of Israel in a deliberate campaign of ethnic cleansing. The same processes have been continuing for years and the climax reached in the recent attacks of Israel on Palestinian militants. One of these five new camps is Camp Dignity that provides shelter to some of the 30,000 people it says lost their homes in the three-week conflict.
Will these tents instead of buildings continue forever? This is very difficult to say. It should be stated Israel and Egypt have prevented all but basic humanitarian aid from entering Gaza. Building materials are scarce, and reconstruction has been held up by the restrictions. What’s more, all these are happening since the Hamas takeover in June 2007.
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