Gaza is facing one of the world’s largest postwar reconstruction challenges, with vast areas of the enclave reduced to rubble and basic services in collapse after a year of conflict.
Local authorities say more than 70 million tonnes of debris now cover large parts of Gaza, while United Nations estimates put the figure closer to 55 million tonnes. Beneath the wreckage lie about 20,000 unexploded munitions, endangering rescue crews and residents trying to return to shattered neighborhoods.
UN experts estimate it could take up to 15 years to clear the debris alone. The cost of rebuilding is expected to exceed $55 billion, with newer UN and World Bank assessments suggesting the total could reach $70 billion as environmental cleanup, rebuilding of utilities, and long-term housing are factored in.
Two-thirds of Gaza’s infrastructure have been damaged or destroyed, and over 70 percent of homes are uninhabitable, UN data show. Power, water, and sanitation networks have nearly collapsed. The blackout has crippled hospitals and aid facilities, forcing hundreds of thousands of displaced Palestinians to live in tents or amid ruins.
The blockade on Gaza continues to hinder reconstruction. Restrictions on heavy machinery, cement, and steel have left debris uncleared, while relief agencies warn that prolonged inaction will worsen health and environmental risks. UN environmental experts have reported rising levels of toxic materials and groundwater contamination from destroyed industrial sites.
Clearing rubble is only the beginning of what aid groups call a “multi-decade recovery.” Removing unexploded ordnance is among the most dangerous tasks. UN Mine Action Service officials describe large sections of Gaza as “contaminated zones” requiring specialized clearance teams before any rebuilding can safely start.
Since the outbreak of war in October 2023, more than 68,000 Palestinians have been killed and nearly 170,000 injured, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry. Over 40,000 of those wounded suffered permanent disabilities, and thousands more are believed buried beneath collapsed buildings.
Diplomats and humanitarian organizations have urged a coordinated global response. Reconstruction, they argue, must be tied to open access for materials, secure funding, and an end to restrictions that make recovery impossible. Without that, Gaza risks remaining trapped in a humanitarian crisis that spans generations.
