The United Nations has estimated that rebuilding Gaza after the prolonged conflict between Israel and Hamas will cost billions of dollars and take decades.
The 15-month war, which ended with a ceasefire on Sunday, has devastated the region. According to Gaza’s health ministry, over 46,000 people were killed in Israeli airstrikes, while Hamas attacks killed 1,200 in Israel.
A recent UN report estimated that clearing the 50 million tonnes of rubble left by the bombardment could cost $1.2 billion and take 21 years. Much of the debris is contaminated with asbestos, and thousands of bodies are believed to be trapped underneath.
Gaza’s development has been set back by 69 years, with two-thirds of its buildings damaged or destroyed. The UN reports that 1.8 million people are in urgent need of shelter, while infrastructure losses amount to $18.5 billion, affecting homes, schools, healthcare, and water supplies.
The destruction has also crippled agriculture, with over 50% of farmland unusable and 95% of livestock lost. Critical facilities, including 136 schools, 823 mosques, and 17 hospitals, have been destroyed or left partially functional.
The UN says rebuilding efforts could stretch beyond 2040, urging international support to address the humanitarian crisis.
