The United Nations (UN) has revealed the staggering cost and timescale required to rebuild Gaza following the 15-month war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas. A ceasefire, which took effect on Sunday, has temporarily halted the devastating conflict that has left Gaza in ruins and caused widespread regional tension.
Israeli sources reported that Hamas attacks killed 1,200 people, while Gaza’s health ministry estimated Israel’s retaliatory strikes have claimed more than 46,000 lives. The UN’s damage assessment, released earlier this month, indicates that clearing over 50 million tonnes of rubble—contaminated with asbestos and likely containing human remains—could take 21 years and cost up to $1.2 billion.
The war has set Gaza’s development back by nearly seven decades, according to a United Nations Development Programme official. A report published by the UN in 2024 estimates that rebuilding Gaza’s homes could take until at least 2040, with 170,000 structures, including 245,123 housing units, either damaged or flattened. Over 1.8 million residents currently require emergency shelter.
The economic toll is equally devastating. As of January 2024, damage to Gaza’s infrastructure was estimated at $18.5 billion, affecting residential buildings, businesses, essential services, and agriculture. Satellite data reveals that more than half of Gaza’s farmland has been degraded, with widespread destruction of orchards and crops. Additionally, the UN Food and Agriculture Organization reported that 95% of Gaza’s cattle and nearly half its sheep have perished during the conflict.
Public services are struggling to cope, with only 17 of 36 hospitals partially operational, and less than 25% of pre-war water supplies available. Educational institutions have not been spared, with over 136 schools and universities destroyed.
The UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs reported that 68% of Gaza’s roads are damaged, further hampering relief efforts. Amnesty International’s Crisis Evidence Lab has documented severe destruction along Gaza’s eastern boundary, with over 90% of structures in the area either destroyed or heavily damaged.
As Gaza faces unprecedented challenges in rebuilding its economy, infrastructure, and public services, the UN underscores the urgent need for international assistance to address the scale of devastation and humanitarian crisis.
