France moves forward on plans to rebuild Gaza hospital
Reageer (0)20-11-2009
Bethlehem - French Foreign Minister Bernard Kouchner on Wednesday urged Israel to cooperate with France's pledge to rebuild Al-Quds Hospital in Gaza, which was destroyed during last winter's assault.
Three Israeli missiles, two of them containing the incendiary agent white phosphorus, destroyed three buildings at the Red Crescent's An-Nur medical complex on 15 January.
"By signing this agreement today, France intends to reiterate its support and solidarity to the people of Gaza and the fact that we have not forgotten them," Kouchner said in Jerusalem at a signing ceremony.
"In Gaza like anywhere else, the important thing is that it gets done. This vital project finally needs to happen to help Gaza's people who have suffered so much from the fighting and who continue to suffer from the blockade," he said.
Kouchner added, "We obtained a commitment from Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu to allow the material and equipment to enter to Gaza Strip. I'm meeting with the Israeli leaders later to ensure that these commitments will be honored."
"But more needs to be done. France is calling for the border crossings to be opened permanently to free the people of Gaza and to allow for reconstruction, ten months after fighting has ended and with winter approaching," he noted. "It's time to rebuild."
France pledged its support for rebuilding the medical center at the International Conference on the Palestinian Economy and Gaza Reconstruction held in Sharm Al-Sheikh and co-sponsored by French President Nicolas Sarkozy. The agreement provides for a €2 million subsidy from the French Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs via the French Development Agency.
The Qatari Red Crescent announced in April that it was ready to donate 750,000 US dollars to the reconstruction effort. Morocco has pledged to reconstruct destroyed parts of the hospital, as well.
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