Mideast envoy expects Gaza agreement
James Wolfensohn tells reporters that rubble from destroyed settlement homes can be reused by Palestinians in Gaza
GAZA - International Mideast envoy James Wolfensohn said Saturday that an agreement on the fate of the rubble from settler homes in Gaza to be evacuated next month is expected within days.
Speaking to reporters before meeting Palestinian officials, Wolfensohn said the rubble from homes set to be demolished during Israel's planned withdrawal from the Strip in mid-August can be used in future housing projects by the Palestinians.
Wolfensohn and Dahlan in Gaza (Photo: AP)
"Much of the rubble, the cement and the bricks, can be reused in Gaza. It's not something that hurts Gaza or the private sector. It's something that's an opportunity for the Palestinians," Wolfensohn said.
Mohammed Dahlan, the Palestinian cabinet minister in charge of coordinating Israel's withdrawal from Gaza, said the Palestinians are willing to assist Israel in removing the rubble, but will not allow any of it to be buried in their land.
Reusing the rubble
"We are looking into how to make use of this rubble. If there is a use for some it, we will use it, and if there is no use for it, we will get rid of it, remove it from the Gaza Strip. The important thing is for it not to remain or be buried in Palestinian lands," Dahlan said after talks with Wolfensohn.
Israel's Gaza withdrawal is set to begin in less than three weeks, yet almost every major issue regarding the future of the territory remains undecided.
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us an increasing atmosphere of hope, you're getting a better exchange of information, you're getting technical committees working together, you're having open discussions on the tough issues," said Wolfensohn
Early exit for vulnerable residents
Meanwhile, Ynet has learned that dozens of vulnerable Gush Katif residents, including children and the elderly, and those suffering from physical and psychological problems, will be evacuated from Gaza before the pullout begins, in order to avoid the potential trauma that the day of the pullout could bring.
According to the Welfare Office, the arrangement was agreed upon between its own staff and the head of the Regional Gaza Coast Council, and the list of the vulnerable people who will be moved was complied three months ago.
Both the Welfare Office and the Gaza Council have agreed that such a group cannot be exposed to the difficult events expected to begin with the commencement of the pullout on August 15.
However, some residents fear that the evacuation of the vulnerable residents will signal the defeat of their own struggle against the disengagement.
