News / Middle East

Israel to Pay UN for Gaza War Damages

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Israel is expected to compensate the United Nations for damages caused to U.N. property during the Israeli offensive in the Gaza Strip one year ago.

A U.N. spokesman, Martin Nesirky, told reporters Thursday that an agreement has been reached in principle for Israel to make a payment to the United Nations.  U.S. and Israeli media reports say Israel will pay about $10 million to the world body in compensation.

Last May, a U.N. board of inquiry found the Israeli military responsible for attacks on U.N. facilities, including three schools that were housing Palestinians fleeing the fighting.

On Thursday, the Palestinian militant group Hamas said Israel launched new airstrikes on several targets in the Gaza Strip, including in Gaza City and the town of Khan Younis.  At least one person was killed. The strikes come a day after Palestinian militants fired at least 10 mortars and rockets at Israel.

Earlier in the day, Israeli warplanes dropped leaflets into Gaza, warning residents to stay clear of the border and to avoid involvement with weapons smugglers along the Gaza-Egypt border.

The Israeli army says some of the mortar shells fired on Wednesday landed in Israel near the Kerem Shalom crossing with the Gaza Strip.  There were no reports of casualties or damage.

Israel's three-week offensive in Gaza one year ago targeted Hamas militants and was aimed at halting rocket attacks into Israel.  At least 1,300 Palestinians and 13 Israelis were killed in the fighting.

Some information for this report was provided by A and, AFP.

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