It’s about time, though this should not be framed as Israel doing some wonderful favour to the people whom it recently bombed:
For the first time since the end of Operation Cast Lead, Israel plans to transfer several hundred tons of cement and other construction materials, including metal pipes, into the Gaza Strip to facilitate reconstruction.
Many of Gaza’s buildings were destroyed or damaged during Israel’s three-week offensive against Gaza’s Hamas rulers last winter.
Since the war, Israel has refused to allow construction materials into Gaza, arguing that Hamas could divert iron rods and concrete to build rockets and bunkers.
I found cement was in fact available in Gaza, at heavily inflated prices. Products are coming through the tunnels from Egypt, but the images of decimated suburbs, unable to be repaired, should not be allowed to stand. Repair, rebuild and strengthen.
Unless, of course, Israel is preparing another round against the Strip.