Israel’s offensive on Gaza has caused over $5 billion of damage to homes and infrastructure in the Strip, the Minister of Public Works said Monday.

Minister Mufeed al-Hasayneh, a resident of Gaza, told Ma’an that the amount of money is likely to increase as the assault continues.

Some 10,000 homes have been completely destroyed, and 30,000 homes partially destroyed, al-Hasayneh said.

“The three areas that have undergone the most intense destruction are Shujaiyya, Beit Hanoun, and Abasan,” the minister said.

“Ministry crews were astonished when they arrived to Shujaiyya, where some 110,000 people live. Sixty percent of the homes were completely destroyed, especially those in the eastern part of the neighborhood.”

The minister said it would take $5 billion to rebuild structures alone, “not including possessions, like furniture and cars.”

“The offensive destroyed buildings belonging to Gaza governorates, in addition to police stations and national security buildings,” al-Hasayneh said.

The diesel containers belonging to Gaza’s power plant have been destroyed as well, he said.

Al-Hasayneh says the “containers will cost $25 million, and there are ten power lines that supply Gaza with power and have been cut off” as well.

He added that 70 percent water wells had been completely destroyed, “in addition to waste water lines.”

(Ma’an – www.maannews.net)