The eight day strike by Israel on Gaza not only killed 168 Palestinians, most them civilians, but has also resulted in $300 million in economic damage, the Palestinian Chamber of Commerce reports.
According to the report, the occupied territory's agrarian segment suffered $120 million in damage. Economic activities were halted for eight days, causing a further $40 million to be lost. The balance of the $300 million comes from infrastructure and buildings that were destroyed and impaired by the Israeli airstrikes.
The report states that to deal with the disastrous economic consequences of the raid, there must be a lifting of Israeli restrictions on Gaza, in accordance with the truce which ended the attacks on Wednesday.
Israel began the attack on Gaza last week to stop rocket attacks on its territory from Hamas, the political party governing Gaza. Hamas' bombardment had intensified, killing six Israelis, 5 of them civilians. In return, the Israeli attacks killed 168 Palestinians, mostly civilians, with many people injured. Many buildings were razed to the ground in the attack, including government ministry buildings.
A call-up of 75,000 reserve troops in Israel was authorized as the air assault on Gaza intensified, with speculation of a ground invasion into the territory. However, these plans were halted when an international diplomatic effort brokered by Egypt resulted in a ceasefire deal on Wednesday.
This agreement stipulates that Gaza's crossings should be opened to facilitate the movement of people and goods, while “all Palestinian factions shall stop all hostilities from the Gaza Strip against Israel, including rocket attacks and all attacks along the border.”
Digital Journal is reporting on Sunday that some restrictions have been eased, with Palestinian farmers being able to visit their farmland near the border fence with Israel, and fishermen are now allowed to sail out further from the coast, with hopefully larger catches of fish.
Read more: http://www.digitaljournal.com/article/337635#ixzz2DEPDq5VT
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