Reconstructing Gaza requires more than $71 billion over the next decade, and human development has been declining for 77 years

The “Rapid Final Assessment of Damages and Needs in Gaza”, which was conducted in cooperation with the World Bank, to assess the damages, economic losses, and recovery and reconstruction needs in Gaza, estimated the material damage to infrastructure at about $35.2 billion, while the economic and social losses amounted to $22.7 billion.

The report, “Assessing the Conditions in Gaza after 24 Months of Conflict There,” indicates that the most affected sectors include housing, health, education, trade, and agriculture, where:

⬅️ More than 371,888 housing units were destroyed or damaged.

⬅️ More than 50% of hospitals are out of service.

⬅️ Almost all schools were destroyed or damaged.

⬅️ The economy shrank by 84% in Gaza.

Human development decline 77 years

The report highlights the catastrophic impact on human development in Gaza, which is estimated to have set back 77 years. He explains that more than 60% of the population lost their homes, noting that women, children, people with disabilities, and the most vulnerable groups bear the greatest burden.

The report stressed that, given the enormous scale of needs, recovery efforts must go in parallel with humanitarian work, to ensure an effective and orderly transition from emergency relief to large-scale reconstruction, including the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

The European Union and the United Nations stressed the need for recovery and reconstruction processes to be Palestinian-led, and to include an approach to rebuilding better and building a better future, in a way that actively supports the transition of governance to the Palestinian Authority in accordance with According to UN Security Council Resolution No. 2803 The comprehensive plan, as well as promoting a permanent political settlement based on the two-state solution.

A set of conditions

The European Union and the United Nations recognized the necessity of a set of conditions to implement Resolution 2803, including:

🔹A sustainable ceasefire and the provision of adequate security, which is considered a minimum condition.

🔹Supporting recovery for humanitarian access and the immediate and unhindered restoration of basic services.

🔹Freedom of movement of individuals, goods, and reconstruction materials, within and between the Gaza Strip and the West Bank.

🔹The existence of an effective and transparent financial system.

🔹The presence of clear and accountable governance.

🔹Removing rubble, managing explosive ordnance, and settling housing, land and ownership issues.

The European Union and the United Nations stressed that Resolution No. 2803 cannot be implemented, and that the comprehensive plan cannot fully succeed, without two things, namely rebuilding Gaza financially and institutionally, and setting a clear path to establishing a Palestinian state throughout the occupied Palestinian territory.