Rebuilding Gaza to cost $71bn, must include Palestinians, report finds | Israel-Palestine conflict News

Rebuilding Gaza Estimated to Cost $71.4 Billion, Report Finds

A recent Oxfam report indicates that the cost of rebuilding Gaza will surpass previous reconstruction efforts by sevenfold, amounting to an estimated $71.4 billion due to extensive destruction from over two years of conflict.

The conflict has resulted in at least 73,000 Palestinian deaths, injured 173,000, and displaced 1.9 million residents. In April, a joint assessment conducted by the UN, EU, and World Bank identified total damages and economic losses in Gaza at approximately $57.9 billion.

According to the report, prepared by Oxfam in collaboration with the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute (MAS) and the Palestine Trade Centre (PalTrade), the region’s human development has regressed by 77 years. It stresses the necessity of involving Palestinians directly in the reconstruction process.

“Reconstruction is not just a humanitarian task; it is a political one. A plan crafted in foreign capitals, regardless of funding, risks becoming another form of control over Palestinian land and lives,” said Misyef Jamil, a senior researcher at MAS. “Our consultations across Gaza carried one unmistakable message: nothing about our future without us.”

The Financial Scope of Reconstruction

The Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) released in April emphasizes the need for over $71.4 billion over the next decade for reconstruction efforts in Gaza. Of this amount, approximately $26.3 billion is required in the initial 18 months to restore essential services, rebuild critical infrastructure, and support economic recovery.

To provide context, the projected $71.4 billion could finance the construction of nearly 48 Burj Khalifas, the tallest building in the world, according to Oxfam’s analysis of recovery needs following Israeli military operations in the past 20 years.

Scale of Destruction and Human Impact

The report outlines severe damage to housing, education, and healthcare, alongside the loss of cultural landmarks, including mosques and museums. Key findings include:

• 371,888 housing units have been destroyed or damaged.
• There are approximately 66 million tonnes of rubble to be cleared, equivalent to the mass of 11 Pyramids of Giza.
• More than 50,000 people require long-term rehabilitation.
• 83% of people with disabilities have been forced to abandon assistive devices.
• Over 58,000 children have lost one or both parents.
• 55% of hospitals are non-functional.
• 93% of school buildings have been damaged or destroyed.

Before reconstruction can commence, clearing the estimated 66 million tonnes of rubble is critical. The debris has rendered many neighborhoods inaccessible, particularly for individuals with disabilities. The rubble also poses significant health and safety risks, potentially containing unexploded ordnance while damaging buildings may release hazardous materials into the environment.

Timeline for Reconstruction

The report outlines a five-year plan for rebuilding Gaza, emphasizing that Palestinians should lead the process, avoiding external plans that risk fragmenting Palestinian territories. This roadmap, developed in partnership with the European Union, Gulf Arab states, Egypt, and various international agencies, consists of four phases:

1. Emergency Relief and Stabilization – Estimated cost: $10 billion.

   • Key actions: Secure humanitarian access, restore essential services, and clear rubble.

2. Early Recovery and Service Restoration – Estimated cost: $15 billion.

   • Key actions: Repair damaged infrastructure, reconnect communities, and support local markets.

3. Medium-Term Reconstruction – Estimated cost: $25 billion.

   • Key actions: Rebuild schools, hospitals, housing, and municipal systems.

4. Long-Term Development – Estimated cost: $20 billion.

   • Key actions: Strengthen trade, enhance economic participation for women, and shift recovery efforts into Palestinian hands.

The comprehensive plan aims not only to rebuild Gaza but also to lay a sustainable foundation for future development.

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