A United Nations diplomat announced on Tuesday a deal between Israel and Palestine to temporarily allow the importation of building materials towards the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip.

According to diplomat and special Middle East envoy Robert H. Serry, a provisional agreement was reached with Palestinian and Israel officials to start the reconstruction of Gaza.

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Serry made the announcement at the Security Council, adding that he hoped the agreement will lead to opening a bigger passage to Gaza and ending the blockade that the extremists were fighting to be lifted.

According to Serry, the temporary deal may be a step towards the complete lifting of all closures in Gaza.

In addition, Serry pledged that the United Nations will help with the reconstruction efforts in Gaza, adding that President Mahmoud Abbas and the rest of the Palestinian authorities will have a leading role in rebuilding the strip.

For years, Israel has prohibited the import of goods, including building materials, to Gaza, in fears that Hamas will use the items in building underground tunnels to Israel.

Reaching the agreement has been a challenge, according to Serry, adding that the reconstruction "must get up and running without delay."

The reconstruction agreement is between the United Nations, the Palestinian Authority and Israel.

President Abbas has also announced the temporary deal in a televised meeting of Palestinian officials on Thursday.

The announcement came three weeks after a truce ended a 50-day war that has killed 2,100 Palestinians, 67 Israelis, and destroyed thousands of homes.

In a report released on Tuesday, the World Bank stated in detail the damages inflicted by the conflict on Palestine and its economy.

 "The conflict has worsened the state of the economy in Gaza," according to the report.

The estimated cost of rebuilding Gaza is about US$7.8 billion, the Palestinian Authority said on Sept. 4.

TagsIsrael, Palestine, Gaza Strip, World News, gaza reconstruction