Top diplomats from around the world are gathering in the Egyptian resort of Sharm el-Sheik for the international donors' conference on Gaza's reconstruction.

John Ging, the head of Gaza operations for the U.N. Relief and Works Agency, UNRWA, smiles during an interview with The Associated Press in Gaza City, Thursday, Feb. 26, 2009. [Khalil Hamra/CCTV/AP Photo]

The United Nations is urging Israel to relax its blockade to allow in reconstruction materials and ease the suffering of Gaza residents.

The Head of the UN Relief and Works Agency in Gaza stressed the urgency of ending Israel's blockade of the Gaza Strip.

John Ging, Head of UN Relief & Works Agency in Gaza, said, "Unless the crossings open, we cannot expect any improvement in the situation here."

Israel allows in basic food aid, fuel and medicine on a daily basis, but it keeps Gaza's crossings sealed to the raw materials needed for reconstruction.

Israel says it will open the crossings only after Hamas releases an Israeli soldier it has held since 2006.

Mark Regev, Israeli Gov't Spokesman, said, "Israel fully supports the conference and the idea to strengthen support for the people of Gaza, both immediate humanitarian aid and reconstruction. But we must be clear, like the international community, Israel does not want to see support to Hamas, we want to see support to the people of Gaza."

An estimated 15-thousand homes were destroyed or damaged in Israel's recent war on Gaza.

A Hamas spokesman said he hoped the conference in Egypt would find ways to rebuild Gaza without politicization and preconditions.

Fawzi Barhoum, Hamas Spokesman, said, "We hope this conference will be fruitful in making positive steps, because rebuilding is a legal, moral and humanitarian issue."

For reconstruction to move forward smoothly, a series of events would first have to occur.

Gaza's Hamas rulers would have to reconcile with their moderate West Bank rivals led by President Mahmoud Abbas.

Then Hamas would have to soften its violent anti-Israel ideology and agree to share power with Abbas.

Finally, Israel would have to recognize the new government, despite Hamas' role in it, and lift the blockade.

(CCTV March 2, 2009)