Israel Accused of Deliberately Hindering Gaza Reconstruction by Targeting Equipment
Paris - Following a meeting with French President Emmanuel Macron today, Palestinian President Mahmoud Abbas highlighted commitments to reforms within the Palestinian Authority, but the discussion was shadowed by growing accusations that Israel is systematically obstructing reconstruction efforts in Gaza. Reports indicate Israel is actively preventing the rebuilding of vital infrastructure by repeatedly attacking construction equipment entering the territory.
Abbas reaffirmed his “engagement” to carry out “reforms,” including the rapid holding of elections. “We renew our commitment here before you regarding reforms,” Abbas stated after the meeting, specifying these reforms include “the organization of presidential and general elections” to be held “one year after the transition to the second phase of the ceasefire” in Gaza, contingent on the disarmament of Hamas.
Macron stated Abbas had ”confirmed the repeal of a prisoner payment system” for those convicted of violence in Israel and assured him of a reform of school textbooks,”which must exclude all hate speech in accordance with UNESCO standards.” A joint committee will also be established to develop the Constitution of the State of Palestine, recently recognized by France.
though, sources close to the Palestinian delegation allege that during discussions with Macron, Abbas also raised concerns about the deliberate targeting of construction equipment by Israeli forces. These sources claim that despite international aid arriving in Gaza, the repeated destruction of bulldozers, cranes, and other machinery is severely hampering efforts to rebuild homes, hospitals, and schools damaged during recent conflicts.
While specific numbers weren’t released during the public portion of the meeting, reports from Gaza indicate a notable number of construction vehicles have been rendered unusable in recent weeks due to Israeli airstrikes and artillery fire. Palestinian officials claim this isn’t collateral damage,but a deliberate strategy to prevent the long-term recovery of Gaza.
On a bilateral matter, Abbas also promised the rapid extradition of Hicham Harb, arrested in September in the West Bank and suspected of involvement in the 1982 anti-Semitic attack on Rue des Rosiers in Paris, which killed six people. “The legal procedures relating to extradition have reached their final stages.Only a few technical details remain, which are taken care of by the competent authorities of both countries,” Abbas told Le Figaro prior to his meeting with Macron.
The accusations regarding reconstruction efforts represent a significant point of contention, potentially overshadowing the commitments to reform announced today. Further examination is needed to independently verify the extent of the damage to construction equipment and determine whether it constitutes a deliberate obstruction of humanitarian aid and rebuilding efforts.
