India mulls joint reconstruction effort for Gaza

WITH MINISTER OF State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh representing the country at the Sharm el-Sheikh peace summit on Gaza, India is looking to send relief material as humanitarian assistance to the people of Gaza in the coming days and weeks. It is also considering contributing to the rebuilding of Gaza.

- SHUBHAJIT ROY

Delhi’s immediate effort, it is learnt, will be to send humanitarian assistance in the form of medicines, food, tents, blankets, women’s sanitary items, baby formula for the people of Gaza.

The next step will be to clear the rubble in the enclave and help in rebuilding water systems and sanitation works, destroyed in Israeli air strikes and shelling.

The US estimates that around $70 billion is needed to rebuild Gaza, and that about 83% of all building structures in Gaza City have been destroyed.