Israel will not permit the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip as long as Hamas keeps diverting construction materials to rebuilding terror tunnels, meant to be used in attacks on Israelis, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon on Monday told UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon in New York, the Jerusalem Post reported.
Ya’alon was referring to a claim published in a Hamas publication, that Hamas members were still hard at work digging tunnels connecting Gaza with exit points inside Israel.
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Ya’alon said it was sad that the Hamas prefers to deprive the Arabs under its rule of construction supplies that are so needed to rebuild their city, and use those resources instead to reconstruct the network of tunnels the IDF destroyed last summer.
“We want the residents of Gaza to live in dignity and prosperity, rebuild their homes and return to normal life. But, we are very worried. Just yesterday Hamas representatives said they intend to reconstruct the infiltration tunnels, instead of rebuilding the homes of Gaza’s residents, ” Ya’alon told Ban.
Last week, Israel permitted truckloads of cement and steel into the Gaza Strip, for use, ostensibly, in repairing damage to private homes, the Post noted.
Ya’alon insisted the Hamas should not be allowed to rearm itself, in light of the recent, 51-day conflict with Israel.
“It’s in our interest for the residents of Gaza to improve their economic situation and their lives, but it must be clear that the funds and equipment are not used for terrorism, therefore we are closely monitoring all of the developments, ” Ya’alon said.
