A deal between the rival nations of Israel and Libya will let Libya work to rebuild more than 1,000 homes destroyed in Gaza during the recent conflict in the region.
Libya has historically been one of Israel’s most vocal critics, and the two nations are currently in a state of war. Even so, Israel has agreed to let Libya’s nonprofit Gadhafi Foundation provide $50 million toward rebuilding 1,250 Gaza Strip homes destroyed during Israel’s offensive in the region last year. The nation may even lift a ban on some dual-purpose construction materials entering the Gaza region to permit the construction project.
"If the Libyans have secured an increase in the amounts of construction materials being allowed to enter Gaza, backed up by large funds to procure those materials, then that is a significant and very welcome achievement, for which they deserve our sincere thanks," said Peter Ford of The United Nations Relief and Works Agency, which provides aid to Palestinian refugees.
The UNRWA said the signing of the deal between the two nations was an important step forward for peace in the Middle East, though more would have be done to resolve the conflicts, starting with increased Israeli approval for UN projects in the Gaza region.
Even so, "this generous donation [from the Gadhafi Foundation] should enable UNRWA to make a real difference to the lives of hundreds of families," said Ford, who estimated that more than 12,000 families could be still be homeless in the Gaza Strip.
Israeli foreign minister Avigdor Lieberman called the deal "very, very successful."
"We know that they are a reliable partner," Lieberman said of Libya, "and we will respect their demands regarding … some Palestinian issues."
The deal with the Gadhafi Foundation, which is run by the son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi, comes following the release of an Israeli photographer who had been being held in a Libyan jail, although officials deny that the two events are related.
Gaza relentlessly bombs Israel and Israel rebuilds it?