Gaza needs $71.4 billion for recovery and reconstruction

On Monday, the European Union and the United Nations issued the final rapid assessment of damages and needs in the Gaza Strip, conducted in cooperation with the World Bank, to assess the damage, economic losses, and recovery and reconstruction needs in Gaza after 24 months of conflict.

According to the assessment, Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction needs are estimated at $71.4 billion over the next decade, including $26.3 billion required within the first 18 months to restore basic services, rebuild critical infrastructure, and support economic recovery.

Material damage to infrastructure is estimated at $35.2 billion, while economic and social losses amount to $22.7 billion.

The report 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 were out of service, almost all schools were destroyed or damaged, and the economy shrank by 84% in Gaza.

The report highlights the catastrophic impact on human development in Gaza, which is estimated to have set back 77 years.

About 1.9 million people have been displaced, often multiple times, and more than 60% of the population has lost their homes. The report also indicates that women, children, persons with disabilities and the most vulnerable groups bear the greatest burden.

The Rapid Needs Assessment and Reconstruction Report provides the analytical basis for early recovery and reconstruction planning, in line with UN Security Council resolutions, including Resolution 2803.

The European Union and the United Nations stress the need for recovery and reconstruction operations to be Palestinian-led, actively supporting the transition of governance to the Palestinian Authority in accordance with UN Security Council Resolution 2803 and the Comprehensive Plan, as well as promoting a permanent political settlement based on the two-state solution.

The European Union and the United Nations also recognize the necessity of providing a set of enabling conditions to effectively implement UN Security Council Resolution No. 2803 on the ground.

The European Union and the United Nations also categorically affirm that the progress achieved in the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, the implementation of UN Security Council Resolution 2803, and the achievement of the two-state solution are not parallel paths, but rather are closely interconnected.

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