Israel determined to control aid and recovery effort

ISRAEL intends to exert control over the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip following its 22-day offensive, and is seeking guarantees that no UN projects will benefit Hamas, officials said yesterday.

Israel, which declared a unilateral ceasefire on Sunday, retains full control over Gaza’s commercial crossings, through which goods and other materials for rebuilding must pass.

Smuggler tunnels under Gaza’s border with Egypt, which were used by Hamas and many ordinary Palestinians to get around the Israeli-led blockade, were heavily bombed during the war and are out of commission.