Israel Will Pay $10 Million to U.N. for Damaging Gaza Buildings

By JTA January 8, 2010

Israel reportedly has agreed to pay $10 million in compensation for damaging United Nations buildings in Gaza.

Israel hit several U.N. properties, including schools, storehouses and vehicles, during its Operation Cast Lead military offensive in Gaza last winter. Israel says the properties were not targeted, but that Hamas terrorists were targeting Israel from inside or near the buildings.

Israel says the compensation is for collateral damage. It is the first compensation Israel will pay for damage caused in Gaza during the offensive, according to the BBC.

The compensation agreement comes after several months of negotiations. Israel still must ink a final agreement, Bloomberg reported Thursday, but Defense Minister Ehud Barak reportedly told U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon of the decision.

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