Tuesday, January 27, 2009

Q&A: 'Gaza Will Take Years to Recover'


Mel Frykberg interviews KATHARINA RITZ of the ICRC

"RAMALLAH, Jan 27 (IPS) - Gaza will need years to recover from the devastating Israeli assault, says Katharina Ritz, head of mission of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC). Israel's 22-day assault left more than 1,300 Palestinians dead, and decimated much of the coastal territory's infrastructure.

Excerpts from the interview:

IPS: How long do you think it will take for Gaza to be rehabilitated?

Katharina Ritz: Gaza will take several years at the very least to recover from the Israeli military campaign. This is the best case scenario, assuming that the border crossings are opened permanently and all the necessary aid and help is allowed in unhindered.....

IPS: Will sufficient humanitarian aid alleviate the suffering ultimately?

KR: All the humanitarian aid in the world will not alleviate the human suffering if a political resolution to the conflict is not found."

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