Israel has caused RM16 billion damage to Gaza
Astro Awani
August 5, 2014 13:18 MYT
August 5, 2014 13:18 MYT
A Palestinian searches for salvageable items from the rubble of his house that was destroyed in Israeli strikes, in Beit Lahiya. -AP Photo/Adel Hana
Israel's air strikes over Gaza has caused over $5 billion (RM15.97 billion) of damage to homes and infrastructure in the Strip, according to Palestinian Minister of Public Works Mufeed al-Hasayneh.
He said some 10,000 homes have been completely destroyed and 30,000 homes partially destroyed.
"The three areas that have undergone the most intense destruction are Shujaiyya, Beit Hanoun, and Abasan.
"Ministry crews were astonished when they arrived to Shujaiyya, where some 110,000 people live. Sixty percent of the homes were completely destroyed, especially those in the eastern part of the neighbourhood,” Al-Hasayneh told Ma’an News Agency.
He also said it would take $5 billion to rebuild structures alone, "not including possessions, like furniture and cars."
The diesel containers belonging to Gaza's power plant, which cost $25 million (RM79.87 million), have been destroyed as well.
UN figures indicated most of the 1,867 people killed in Gaza so far were civilians.
On Tuesday, Israeli army announces total retreat from Gaza.