Int´l donors pledge $4.5 bln for Gaza reconstruction

OPEN CROSSINGS, CEASEFIRE URGED

Participants at the conference have also urged instant opening of Gaza border crossings and a durable ceasefire to lay foundation for international rebuilding efforts.

Palestinians pass house ruins at Jabalia refugee camp in the northern Gaza Strip March 2, 2009. An international donor's conference was held on Monday in Egypt in an effort to raise funds for the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip battered by Israel's 22-day military attacks. (Xinhua/Mahmud Nassar)

The UN chief warned that aid for Gaza's rebuilding would be impossible to proceed if border crossings between Gaza and Israel remain closed.

"The situation at the border crossings is intolerable," he said, adding "aid workers do not have access. Essential commodities cannot get in" and therefore the "first and indispensable goal" is to open crossings.

Israel has tightened a blockade on Gaza since it launched the massive offensive in Palestinian coastal enclave, only allowing in limited humanitarian aid.

Ban also stressed that the reconstruction of Gaza Strip needs a durable ceasefire in the Palestinian enclave. "When building a house, we begin with the foundation. When it comes to rebuilding Gaza, this foundation must be a durable ceasefire," he said.

"We need to think comprehensively" to discuss the Palestinian economy and Gaza reconstruction, he added.