国际英语新闻:UN envoy stresses need to improve environment for Gaza's reconstruction

UNITED NATIONS, Dec. 11 (Xinhua) -- The UN special coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process, Robert Serry, visited Gaza on Thursday and stressed the need to improve the environment for the reconstruction of the Strip.

During the visit, Serry said that "by the end of this month, more than 20,000 homeowners are expected to be able to procure construction material for urgent repairs of their dwellings," UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric said at a daily news briefing here.

The UN official stressed that "this can only be the beginning of an effective process to rebuild Gaza and much more needs to be done," Dujarric said.

"Unfortunately the operating environment continues to face many challenges, including a fragile and informal ceasefire which has not yet solidified, and a lack of empowerment of the Government of National Consensus in Gaza, with no control over the crossings," the spokesman said. "These difficult issues, coupled with insufficient financial assistance from donors, have only worsened the atmosphere in an already devastated Gaza."

Serry remains gravely concerned about the dire situation in Gaza, the spokesman said, adding that the UN envoy intends to brief the UN Security Council next week on the need for all stakeholders and the international community to make good on their calls made at the Cairo Conference to give Gaza materials needed to rebuild their lives and to create conditions that will lead to the end of the blockade.

Following a 50-day large-scale air and ground military operation Israel waged on the Gaza Strip on July 8, the enclave was left with large-scale destruction of housing and infrastructure units.

International donors, who convened in Cairo on Oct. 12, pledged 5.4 billion U.S. dollars for the reconstruction of Gaza. However, the process was obstructed due to growing tension between Israel and the Palestinians in the West Bank.