Rebuilding Gaza to cost $71bn, must include Palestinians, report finds

The scale of destruction in Gaza demands unprecedented reconstruction investment, according to assessments released by international organizations and civil society groups. The UN-EU-World Bank Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, published in April, calculated total recovery costs at $71.4 billion spread across a decade. This figure dwarfs previous reconstruction cycles following military operations in the territory over the past twenty years, representing seven times the combined expenditure from all such efforts since 2008.

The humanitarian toll has been severe. More than two years of conflict have resulted in at least 73,000 Palestinian deaths, 173,000 injuries, and the displacement of 1.9 million people. The assessment identified $57.9 billion in direct damage and economic losses, with an additional $26.3 billion needed within the first eighteen months to restore essential services, rebuild infrastructure, and support economic recovery. Human development indicators have regressed by 77 years according to analysis by Oxfam, the Palestine Economic Policy Research Institute, and the Palestine Trade Centre.

Physical obstacles to reconstruction are formidable. An estimated 66 million tonnes of rubble must be cleared before rebuilding can commence, with entire neighborhoods rendered impassable. The debris poses multiple hazards: unexploded ordnance threatens clearance workers and surrounding populations, while damaged structures release asbestos and other toxic materials. Environmental contamination from sewage, medical waste, and industrial chemicals compounds the challenge. Between 8,000 and 11,000 Palestinians are believed buried beneath the rubble.

Beyond infrastructure, the conflict has erased cultural and social institutions. Mosques, museums, and other landmarks have been destroyed, representing irreplaceable losses to Gaza's heritage. Housing, education, and healthcare systems have suffered extensive damage requiring comprehensive restoration.

A critical dimension emphasized in the civil society report concerns governance of reconstruction itself. Researchers stress that rebuilding cannot succeed through externally designed plans, however well-funded. Palestinian participation in planning and implementation is presented as essential to ensure reconstruction serves local needs rather than imposing external control over land and resources.