Damage bill from Israeli shop razing up to $1mln

By: Ahmad Hammadi

EREZ, Gaza Strip: The damage bill from an Israeli army demolition of some 120 Palestinian-owned shops on the Gaza-Israel boundary would come to more than $1 million.

The mayor of a Palestinian town estimated this on Saturday.

According to reports two army bulldozers backed by four tanks on Friday plowed through the cluster of buildings.

The stores leading up to Erez, a heavily fortified Israeli industrial zone on the Gaza-Israel border, sold mainly clothing, electronics and food and drink to Palestinian workers who made their way to their jobs in Israel through the crossing.

“We need urgent help for these people. They did not do anything,” said the mayor of Beit Hanoun town, Ibrahim Hamid, adding the damage would run to more than $1 million.

The army spokesman said storeowners could file for compensation.

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