UNITED NATIONS (AP) — The top U.N. official in the Mideast said Monday that Gaza will require massive reconstruction and proposed expanding a U.N.-Israeli system to import construction materials into the Palestinian territory.

Robert Serry told the U.N. Security Council that ending the blockade of Gaza and addressing Israel’s legitimate security needs have become even more urgent given “the unprecedented amount of destruction … and the corresponding unprecedented level of humanitarian needs” suffered during the latest fighting between Israel and Hamas.