Construction materials continue to enter Gaza

Gaza – Ma’an – Israeli crossings officials allowed the entry of limited construction materials into Gaza for the fourth day on Thursday, a Palestinian liaison officer said, noting the goods were for UNRWA re-building projects.

The official, Raed Fattouh, said between 100 to 110 truckloads of aid would enter Gaza through the southernmost Kerem Shalom crossing, noting three of the trucks were loaded with 120 tons of cement, and one truck with iron rebar.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=287445

I doubt many Gazans are too appreciative of just how late "late" is, but it's... Well, I hesitate to say progress, but it is something, and the something seems to be positive.

damaged during OCL? It would seem so, what about allowing the Palestinians that are now homeless to rebuild their homes? Or is that now in the hands of UNRWA?

Gaza – Ma’an – The de facto government in Gaza "will defeat the siege," officials said at the opening of a new cement apartment complex in the Jabaliya neighborhood of the northern Strip.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=283582

of destroyed structures, well at least it's a "resource" IDF seems willing to give limitless amounts of

"This is the first time this has happened," said Jasser Younes, a 25-year-old tunnel worker who helps smuggle cement into Gaza. Two other tunnel operators said Hamas security forces warned people they would be punished if they defied the order. They declined to be identified for fear of punishment.

http://www.ynet.co.il/english/articles/0,7340,L-3875909,00.html

Abu Ali said that recent items popular for smugglers were iron bars and cement, two items prohibited for import into Gaza by the Israeli blockade.

One ton of smuggled iron bars sells for about 2,800 shekels (750 US dollars) the operator noted. In the West Bank, prices for the same product are approximately 2,600 shekels. In Gaza, however, consumers say the iron is poor quality.

http://www.maannews.net/eng/ViewDetails.aspx?ID=262126

The second stage of the development projects, the minister continued, was the massive task of cleaning the destruction from the war. "More than 90% of the wreckage has been cleared," he said, noting that much of the scrap was being reused to construct projects like the Gaza City Port, re-paving roads and general construction.

eta I suppose smuggled cement and iron is reason to make the new construction somehow sinister