UN agency welcomes re-opening of key bridge in Gaza Strip

The main United Nations agency charged with caring for Palestinian refugees today welcomed the re-opening of the Wadi Gaza bridge, a vital transport link in the Gaza Strip that was destroyed by Israeli military forces last year.

Attending the re-opening ceremony, UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) Commissioner-General Karen Koning AbuZayd said the agency was proud to have supported the 88-metre-long bridge’s reconstruction.

“This is an important project, but it is one among many others that need to be undertaken to repair the damage done to civilian infrastructure by years of conflict,” Ms. AbuZayd said.

“With the support of UNRWA and the international community, I hope that other reconstruction projects can be undertaken to raise the standard of living in the West Bank and Gaza.”

Built in 1962 by Egypt, the bridge connects the south of Gaza with the north and becomes especially vital during winter, when heavy rains and flash floods make movement within the Gaza Strip more difficult.

It was destroyed by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF) last June, and reconstruction began in December and took about 14 weeks.