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Israel to Pay UN for Gaza War Damages

   VOA News 07 January 2010
   Palestinians  inspect  the rubble of a building in the eastern area of
   Jebaliya  after  Israeli  troops  withdrew in the northern Gaza Strip,
   Sunday, Jan. 18, 2009.

Photo: AP

   Palestinians  inspect  the rubble of a building in the eastern area of
   Jebaliya  after Israeli troops withdrew in the northern Gaza Strip, 18
   Jan 2009

   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  told reporters Thursday that an agreement has been
   reached  in  principle  for  Israel  to  make  a payment to the United
   Nations.   He  said the U.N. expects to get the "green light" from the
   Israeli government soon.
   U.S.  and  Israeli  media reports are saying 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.
   U.N.   Secretary-General  Ban  Ki-moon  vowed  at  the  time  to  seek
   compensation from Israel.
   In  another  development,  Israeli  warplanes dropped leaflets in Gaza
   Thursday  warning  residents  to  stay  clear  of  the  border,  after
   Palestinian militants fired at least 10 mortar shells at Israel.
   The  leaflets  warned  residents  not to come within 300 meters of the
   border  fence,  and  to avoid involvement with weapons smugglers along
   the Gaza-Egypt border.
   The  Israeli army says some of the mortar shells 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.
   Palestinian  militants  have  since  carried  out  sporadic rocket and
   mortar attacks that have provoked Israeli military strikes.

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