UNITED NATIONS (IPS)�Israeli military attacks in the West Bank
and Gaza are estimated to have destroyed some $22 million worth of
Palestinian infrastructure financed by the United Nations and European
Union (EU).
The losses include damage to or destruction of refugee camps, health
clinics, broadcasting facilities, schools, health laboratories, homes,
and the Gaza airport.
Peter Hansen, commissioner-general of the UN Relief and Works Agency
for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA), said the destruction of UN installations
alone has amounted to more than $3.8 million.
"This figure does not include much more needed for the future social
and health needs of a severely traumatized refugee population," Mr.
Hansen said March 21.
The EU has estimated that Israeli bombing and military assaults so
far have destroyed $15-$18 million worth of European-financed projects.
EU foreign ministers, meeting earlier this year in Brussels, reserved
the right to seek compensation from Israel for damages caused by its
military forces in the Israeli-occupied West Bank and Gaza.
UN spokesperson Farhan Haq said: "Traditionally, we have made
requests for compensation from Israel for damages caused to UN property.
But they have never responded."
According to the Palestine National Authority, total damages in the
West Bank and Gaza since the current Palestinian uprising began in
September 2000 could exceed $200 million.
Mr. Hansen said Israeli attacks�including the use of U.S.-supplied
F-16 fighter planes and Apache helicopters�have caused damage to some 22
UN schools, four UN health clinics, two ambulances, and four refugee
camp service centers.
"The entire military exercise will cost UNRWA at least $270,000 in
immediate repairs to its installations, while the United Nations alone
will have to spend $225,000 on urgently needed road and infrastructure
repairs inside the camps," he said.
The damages were primarily caused by Israeli military incursions into
several UN-run refugee camps during recent weeks. More than 100
Palestinians were killed and more than 500 were injured in the attacks.
According to preliminary estimates, UNRWA will need about $2.3
million to rebuild 141 refugee homes recently destroyed. A further
$540,000 is needed to repair some 1,800 shelters that suffered minor
damage. This is in addition to the more than 5,000 refugees whose homes
had been destroyed by Israeli bulldozing and shelling between September
2000 and the latest flare-up of fighting.
The razing of homes, strongly condemned by human rights
organizations, is a common form of punishment inflicted on Palestinians
by Israeli forces in retaliation for suicide bombings. The Israelis also
have blown up the headquarters of the Palestine Broadcasting
Corporation, destroying some $3 million worth of communications
equipment given by Germany, France, Denmark and other EU nations.
According to published reports, the damage also includes the
destruction of the Inter-Continental Hotel in Bethlehem, which was
partly financed by the European Investment Bank. Damages to the hotel
are estimated at over $700,000.
The heaviest damage was to the Gaza airport, which has been rendered
inoperable and shut down. The closure of the airport has been designed
to ground Palestinian leader Yasser Arafat, who has not been allowed to
leave home.
Chris Patten, the EU�s external affairs commissioner, said: "If you
think of the investment that has gone from Europe to the West Bank and
Gaza over the years to try to help in the creation of a viable state,
the loss is incalculable."
Since 1994, the EU has been the largest single donor, accounting for
about $2.9 billion in development aid to the Palestinians.
Since 1996, the Israelis have refused to pay some $1.7 million in
damages for the destruction of a UN military compound belonging to the
UN Interim Force in Lebanon (UNIFIL).
The Israeli attack on Lebanese civilians taking shelter in the UNIFIL
headquarters took place in Qana, southern Lebanon. The Israeli
bombardment resulted in the deaths of more than 100 Lebanese civilians
and three Fijian UN peacekeepers.
The Israelis also rejected a General Assembly resolution calling for
the payment of compensation for the destruction and the killings.
Meanwhile, in a report released last July, UN Secretary-General Kofi
Annan said the military confrontation between Israelis and Palestinians
was wrecking the fragile economy of the West Bank and Gaza.
The World Bank has estimated a loss of about $2.4 billion in gross
national income.