Gazan builds house using natural materials in face of Israeli siege

In the face of the Israeli siege on the Gaza Strip, a Palestinian man has built a house using natural materials.

Mishref al-Irr, a displaced Palestinian man from the city of Jabalia, about four kilometers (2.5 miles) north of Gaza City, with the assistance of Imad al-Khalidi, a Palestinian architect, has constructed the house using local resources instead of waiting for the entry of construction material into the area.

“Houses that are built using limestone and sand are strong and hold for hundreds of years,” Khalidi said.

He also encouraged other Palestinians to employ natural materials in the area and build temporary houses for themselves. He, however, holds the international community responsible for their pledges to reconstruct the besieged Palestinian territory.

The Israeli regime prevents construction materials reaching Gaza for repair works, and there is no home to keep the displaced Palestinians warm as winter is approaching.

“It is a place to keep out of the hot sun in summer and the cold in winter until our home is rebuilt,” Irr, said, adding, “Two more wars have passed and we are still waiting for our home to be rebuilt” with proper materials.

According to the UN, the summer 2014 Israeli military aggression against Gaza destroyed thousands of buildings, including the only power plant of the blocked territory, and hit at least 223 schools, including those run by the UN.

International donors have pledged USD 5.4 billion toward the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip.

Palestinian experts, however, have said in a recent report that the reconstruction process would cost USD 7.7 billion.