The reconstruction of Gaza will cost the equivalent of six billion euros according to Palestinian estimates.<br /><br />As many as 17,000 homes have been destroyed and Gaza’s only power plant flattened by Israeli forces in the latest seven-week conflict.<br /><br />Palestinian government economist Mohammed Shtayyeh made the announcement saying: “The attack on the Gaza Strip this time has no precedent. Gaza has been hit with a catastrophe and needs immediate aid without delay.”<br /><br />On the streets Gazans are furious about the extent of the devastation inflicted by the Israeli military.<br /><br />One man expressed his anger: “The infrastructure has been destroyed – the streets, homes, trees, stones, roads, everything. In Beit Hanoun I saw [Israeli] trucks clearing away the asphalt, why destroy asphalt. The goal of this war was destruction.”<br /><br />The Israeli assault has left 65,000 Palestinians homeless and reduced the education sector to rubble.<br /><br />Authorities called on the international community for assistance, an end to the Israeli blockade and unity between Palestinians in the West Bank and Gaza Strip.
