Gazans appeal to Obama to halt business collapse

GAZA CITY, Palestine (AA) - Palestinian factory owners in the Gaza Strip have appealed to U.S. President Barack Obama to intervene to prevent the collapse of their businesses.

In an appeal published Tuesday in a local newspaper, the owners said “We appeal to you Mr President to intervene to save us and our factories from collapse, closure and layoff of thousands of workers and professionals.”

The owners said that two years have passed since Israel launched a deadly offensive on the Gaza Strip in 2014.

“However, we have not received the funds pledged by donors for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip,” they said.

In late 2014, Israel launched a 51-day onslaught on the seaside territory on claims of undermining the capability of Palestinian factions to fire rockets into Israel.

At least 2,322 Palestinians were killed and around 11,000 injured, according to the Palestinian Health Ministry.

The Israeli onslaught has left a vast trail of destruction across the Palestinian territory, including the demolition of 500 businesses.