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             UN: Israel, Palestinians Reach Deal on Rebuilding Gaza

   by VOA News

   A United Nations envoy has announced a deal between Israel and the
   Palestinians to start reconstruction in Gaza and keep the materials out
   of the hands of militants.

   Special Coordinator for the Mideast Peace Process, Robert Serry, said
   Tuesday the destruction to schools, hospitals, and infrastructure is
   shocking.

   But he said the new reconstruction mechanism is an important step in
   giving the people in Gaza hope.

   The deal struck with Israel gives the Palestinian Authority the lead
   role in reconstruction while U.N. monitors ensure that building
   materials will not be diverted from their civilian purposes.

   Serry said the cease-fire between Israel and Hamas militants is largely
   holding, but calls it worringly fragile.

   Both sides agreed to a truce on August 26 after two months of Israeli
   airstrikes and a ground assault in response to Hamas rocket fire into
   Israeli territory.

   More than 2,100 Palestinians were killed and entire neighborhoods in
   Gaza were devastated.

   Talks on a long-term truce have yet to begin.

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   [1]http://www.voanews.com/content/un-israel-palestinians-reach-deal-on-
   rebuilding-gaza/2452281.html

References

   1. http://www.voanews.com/content/un-israel-palestinians-reach-deal-on-rebuilding-gaza/2452281.html