Schools will re-open in the Gaza Strip Saturday, as people try to resume their lives after a devastating three-week war between Israel and Gaza's Hamas rulers.
A United Nations spokesman said Friday he expects all 221 U.N.-run schools to open. Many had served as refugee shelters during the conflict, and several were shelled.
A U.N. official in Gaza Friday said his organization is focused on helping residents cope with their grief and loss. John Ging said anger is growing and it is important to channel the emotion into confidence in the rule of law and accountability. He added there are more extremists in Gaza now than before the war.
Ging also said the U.N. wants justice for Israelis, who have suffered as well.
Foreign journalists were granted access to Gaza Friday, after Israel barred them from entering the strip throughout the offensive.
Also Friday, Israeli and Palestinian officials expressed support for U.S. President Barack Obama's choice of George Mitchell as Mideast envoy.
A former Israeli ambassador to Washington, Danny Ayalon, said he believes Mitchell understands the complexity of the conflict.
Palestinian legislator Hanan Ashrawi said she hopes the Obama administration will adopt a hands-on, as well as even-handed, approach to peace efforts.
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