| Series Title | European Voice |
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| Series Details | Vol.11, No.3, 27.1.05 |
| Publication Date | 27/01/2005 |
| Content Type | News |
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Date: 27.01.05 The head of the United Nations' agency for Palestinian refugees has warned that the poor living conditions in Gaza could be exacerbated by Israel's planned disengagement. Speaking to European Voice, Peter Hansen, who has led the agency for nine years, warned that restrictions on movement between Gaza, the West Bank and the outside world must be eased in tandem with a planned withdrawal of Israeli troops. "Maybe there will be circulation inside these areas but if they are not connected to the outside world then there is no way, without trade, that you can set in motion economic growth," he said. He also warned that any Israeli withdrawal would present his agency with substantial challenges in reconstruction and humanitarian assistance. Last year the European Commission became its largest single donor, pledging €131 million. The EU in total bankrolled almost 60% of the organisation's costs. The Israeli government plans to evacuate 17 Israeli settlements in Gaza and withdraw troops later this year. Hansen's comments echo those from the World Bank, which last year warned that without Israel lifting restrictions on movement and trade, including between Gaza and the West Bank, the Palestinian economy would not recover from a recession it described as among the worst in modern history. Hansen describes Gaza's living conditions as "miserable and humiliating", and he paints a picture of an agency struggling to keep up. "We often feel as if we are on treadmill where the speed is going up and up and we have to move faster just to stay in the same place. I hope the speed of destruction will slow down so we can catch our breath." Hansen is soon expected to leave his post, following opposition to his reappointment from Israel and the US. The head of the United Nations' agency for Palestinian refugees, Peter Hansen, warned that the poor living conditions in Gaza could be exacerbated by Israel's planned disengagement. He said that restrictions on movement between Gaza, the West Bank and the outside world had to be eased in tandem with a planned withdrawal of Israeli troops. |
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| Source Link | Link to Main Source http://www.european-voice.com/ |
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| Countries / Regions | Europe, Middle East |
