UN, Palestinians call for $550 million in Gaza aid

RAMALLAH (AFP) -- The United Nations and the Palestinian government called Tuesday for international donors to provide $550 million in aid to help hundreds of thousands of Gazans affected by a devastating war with Israel.

The appeal comes two weeks after Israel and Hamas ended 50 days of bloodshed that killed more than 2,100 people, mostly civilians, and a month ahead of a donors' conference in Cairo.

"The scope of damage and devastation is unprecedented in the Gaza Strip," James Rawley, the UN's humanitarian coordinator for the Palestinian territories, said in a statement.

"The crisis is far from over."

Rawley and Palestinian deputy prime minister Mohammed Mustafa outlined the humanitarian needs for post-war Gaza, calling for $551 million for food aid, access to clean water, healthcare and education.

"We challenge the world to be ambitious and daring in helping us realise recovery, reconstruction and a better future for Gaza," Mustafa said.

"An immediate measure is to end the blockade on Gaza and ensure our people never again experience the horrors of this summer," he said.

Rawley echoed calls for a "full lifting of the blockade." more

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