People watch as Palestinians use excavators to dig deep into the ground reportedly searching for bodies in Khan Yunis in the southern Gaza Strip.Image: Google
The dust hasn’t settled. It clings to the air, to the skin, to the memory of what once was. Gaza, a strip of land barely 365 square kilometers wide, has become the epicenter of one of the most devastating humanitarian crises in modern history. After two years of relentless bombardment, siege, and displacement, the first phase of a ceasefire between Hamas and Israel was agreed upon earlier this month. But peace, if it can be called that, is only the beginning. The real question now is: how long will it take to rebuild Gaza—and will it ever truly be whole again?
According to the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the destruction across Gaza has reached catastrophic levels. Jaco Cilliers, Special Representative of the Administrator for the UNDP’s programme of assistance to the Palestinian People, stated that damage across the enclave is now estimated at 84%, with Gaza City itself nearing 92%. These figures are not just statistics—they represent homes, schools, hospitals, mosques, markets, and memories reduced to rubble. The latest Interim Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (IRDNA), conducted jointly by the UN, the European Union, and the World Bank, puts the reconstruction cost at a staggering $70 billion. And that’s just the beginning.
In the next three years alone, approximately $20 billion will be required to begin the process of rebuilding. This includes not only physical infrastructure but also the restoration of essential services like water, electricity, and sanitation. Aid agencies have warned repeatedly that the flow of humanitarian assistance remains woefully inadequate. Despite Israeli authorities agreeing to allow 190,000 tonnes of relief supplies into Gaza, the volume is a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed. More than 300,000 Palestinians have begun returning north to Gaza City, hopeful that the ceasefire will hold and that they can reclaim what’s left of their homes. But what awaits them is a landscape of ruin.
The scale of destruction is unprecedented. More than 60 million tonnes of debris litter the streets, some of it containing unexploded ordnance and human remains. Before any rebuilding can begin, this debris must be cleared—a task that is both dangerous and logistically complex. In previous reconstruction efforts following Israeli bombings in 2014 and 2021, delays were caused by restrictions on construction materials. Cement and steel, classified as “dual-use” items, were often blocked from entering Gaza due to concerns they could be repurposed for military use. If these restrictions remain in place, the timeline for rebuilding could stretch into decades.
Indeed, based on past models, the reconstruction of housing alone could take up to 80 years. That’s nearly a century of waiting, of living in temporary shelters, of raising children in tents and makeshift homes. But experts say that with good planning and international cooperation, this timeline could be significantly shortened. Key to this is the easing of restrictions on construction materials and the development of better logistical infrastructure. Relying solely on trucks through border crossings is insufficient for the volume of materials needed. A deep-water port, capable of receiving thousands of containers at once, could dramatically accelerate the rebuilding process.
The human cost of the war is incalculable. More than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, according to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, with thousands more injured or missing. Entire families have been wiped out, neighborhoods erased, and cultural landmarks destroyed. The psychological toll is equally devastating. Children have grown up under the constant threat of airstrikes, their education interrupted, their futures uncertain. Mental health services, already scarce before the war, are now overwhelmed. The trauma of displacement, loss, and violence will linger long after the last building is rebuilt.
International donors have expressed support for Gaza’s reconstruction. Arab states, European nations, and the United States have all indicated willingness to contribute. But pledges must translate into action. In previous conflicts, promised aid often failed to materialize, leaving Palestinians to rebuild with limited resources. Transparency, accountability, and coordination will be essential to ensure that funds are used effectively and reach those who need them most.
Rebuilding Gaza is not just about bricks and mortar. It’s about restoring dignity, hope, and the possibility of a future. This means designing temporary camps that can evolve into permanent neighborhoods, with access to clean water, electricity, and healthcare. It means investing in education, job creation, and community development. It means supporting families to return to their homes and rebuild their lives. And it means addressing the root causes of the conflict to prevent future cycles of violence.
The ceasefire, while fragile, offers a glimmer of hope. It is an opportunity for the international community to step up and support a comprehensive reconstruction plan. But time is of the essence. Every day that passes without action deepens the suffering and delays recovery. The people of Gaza cannot afford to wait 80 years. They need solutions now.
The rebuilding of Gaza is one of the most complex and urgent challenges facing the world today. It requires not only financial resources but also political will, strategic planning, and a commitment to human rights. The $70 billion question is not just about money—it’s about whether the world is willing to invest in peace, justice, and the future of a people who have endured unimaginable hardship.
As the dust begins to settle, the world must not look away. Gaza’s story is far from over, and its future depends on what happens next. Follow True World Chronicle for updates as we continue to report on the unfolding situation and the long road to recovery.
Additional sources:
- UNDP Gaza Reconstruction
- World Bank Gaza Damage Assessment
- OCHA Humanitarian Updates
- European Union External Action
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