The heads of five councils comprising the Gaza periphery communities (Greater Sderot Area), the closest areas to Hamas-controlled Gaza, on Tuesday morning sent a letter to Prime Minister Ehud Olmert.

The council heads are requesting the formation of a ministerial body directly responsible for the needs of southern area residents. The local leaders point out the ministerial body requires an appropriate budget to address the day-to-day needs of area residents.

Signatories of the letter include Alon Shuster (Shar HaNegev Regional Council), Chaim Yellin (Eshkol Regional Council), and Eli Moiyal (Sderot).

(Yechiel Spira – YWN Israel)