90% of infrastructure projects in Gaza stopped due to closure of crossings

The Palestinian government in Gaza confirmed the suspension of works in 90 per cent of infrastructure projects, implemented by Gaza municipalities, due to the closure of the crossings.

Minister of Local Government in Gaza, Dr. Mohammed Al-Farra said in a press release on Thursday that these projects were stopped as a result of the current events and developments in Egypt and the closure of tunnels, as well as the blockade imposed on the Gaza Strip since Hamas won the legislative elections.

He added that a large number of projects launched by the municipalities have been recently stopped for lack of raw materials after the closure of the tunnels, pointing out that these projects are funded by the State of Qatar, the Islamic Bank for Development and the UNRWA.

Dr. Al-Farra said his Ministry next week will announce all the projects which were stopped after the events in Egypt and the municipalities’ losses caused by stopping the works in these projects that rely on materials smuggled from the tunnels.

He also pointed to the suspension of the work of a number of central and strategic projects due to the diesel crisis, stressing that the limited amount of diesel fuel that entered the Strip does not cover the needs.

The Palestinian official urged the international community to pressure on the Isr