Moshe Ya'alon and Ban Ki-moon meet Monday. Photo: Defense Ministry / Ariel Hermoni.

JNS.org – Israel will not allow the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip if Hamas continues to use construction materials to build terror tunnels, Defense Minister Moshe Ya’alon told U.N. Secretary Ban Ki-moon during a meeting in New York on Monday.

Ya’alon and Ban discussed the outcome of Israel’s Operation Protective Edge in Gaza and the continuing presence of U.N. peacekeepers in volatile areas along the Jewish state’s northern border.

“We want the residents of Gaza to live in dignity and prosperity, rebuild their homes, and return to normal life,” Ya’alon said. “But, we are very worried. Just yesterday Hamas representatives said they intend to reconstruct the infiltration tunnels, instead of rebuilding the homes of Gaza’s residents.”