Now, four years later after the Israeli fighter jets targeted the Zorob family, consisting of 10 members, inhabits a modest 215-square-foot dwelling covered in nylon sheets, awaiting a permanent home.
Israeli fighter jets targeted the Zorob family’s residence in the Gaza Strip in 2019, reducing it to rubble
A comprehensive housing initiative, backed by a $500-million Egyptian fund for Gaza’s revival from the attack from Israeli fighter jets, brings a glimmer of hope to hundreds of destitute families like the Zorobs, who lost their homes in conflicts with Israeli fighter jets.
However, just weeks before the pristine white edifices are slated for completion, there’s no clarity on who qualifies for the 1,400 apartments, or even how to apply, amid disputes between Gaza’s Hamas autocrats and the internationally honored Palestinian Authority. The Zorob family, frustrated, holds both sides responsible for the delays.
Approximately 2,000 families, totaling around 12,000 individuals, have seen their homes razed due to clashes with Israeli fighter jets in recent years. An additional 90,000 people reside in dilapidated, unrepaired homes. A sluggish economy, compounded by Israeli-Egyptian restrictions, Hamas’ isolation, and dwindling international support, has impeded reconstruction efforts.
At the core of these issues lies the enduring discord between Hamas and the Palestinian Authority
The undertaking signifies Egypt’s inaugural venture in bolstering Gaza’s infrastructure, following a series of Arab-funded initiatives aimed at alleviating housing shortages. Egypt, often a mediator between Israel, Hamas, and rival Palestinian factions, pledged this aid after an eight-day conflict in 2021.
Two senior Egyptian officials affirm that Cairo is collaborating with the rival Palestinian factions on this venture. They urge both sides to establish a joint committee for equitable housing allocation, yet little headway has been achieved. The stalemate leaves numerous families in limbo from Israeli fighter jets, enduring prolonged uncertainty about their housing prospects.
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