In the battered landscape of Gaza, a fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas has brought a moment of quiet. But beneath the surface, the daunting task of rebuilding this devastated enclave is only just beginning—a task that experts say will take decades and cost a staggering $70 billion. The scale of destruction, the logistical challenges, and the sheer human toll make Gaza’s reconstruction one of the most formidable postwar efforts in modern history.
According to the United Nations Satellite Center, as of September 23, 2025, about 83% of all buildings in Gaza City were damaged, with nearly 40% completely destroyed. Jaco Cilliers, a senior official with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), reported at a recent press conference that the destruction across the enclave is even more severe in certain areas: "In certain parts of Gaza, like in Gaza City, it’s even up to 92%." The UNDP has already cleared some 81,000 tons of rubble, but this is just the tip of the iceberg. More than 60 million tonnes of debris, much of it laced with unexploded ordnance and human remains, still covers the land, according to the UN and humanitarian agencies cited by IOL.
For Gaza’s 2.3 million residents, the war’s impact is deeply personal. The United Nations estimates more than 67,000 Palestinians have been killed and almost 170,000 wounded since the conflict erupted in October 2023. On the Israeli side, about 1,200 people have died and 5,400 have been injured. The human cost is immense, but so too is the destruction of the very infrastructure that sustains life: schools, hospitals, water, and electricity systems have been left in ruins. As Hady Amr, a Brookings Institute expert and former U.S. representative for Palestinian affairs, put it to ABC News, "Imagine not just your house was destroyed, your block was destroyed, your neighborhood was destroyed, but 80 to 90% of the universe that you have access to."
The ceasefire agreement, which went into effect on October 10, 2025, includes provisions for increased humanitarian aid. According to a statement released by the White House, Israel has agreed to allow into Gaza "aid quantities consistent with what was included in the January 19, 2025, agreement regarding humanitarian aid, including rehabilitation of infrastructure (water, electricity, sewage), rehabilitation of hospitals and bakeries, and entry of necessary equipment to remove rubble and open roads." Israeli authorities have also agreed to allow 190,000 tonnes of relief supplies into Gaza. Yet, aid agencies and the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) warn that this is far from sufficient. "A far greater amount of aid is needed urgently," they have said repeatedly.
Before any meaningful reconstruction can begin, safety is paramount. "With the rubble and the massive destruction, there is also concern that there are a number of victims, of bodies, that are buried in that rubble—they would also need to be exhumed," explained Mona Yacoubian, director and senior adviser of the Middle East Program at the Center for Strategic and International Studies, to ABC News. Clearing unexploded bombs and ammunition is a critical step, not just for rebuilding, but also for reviving farming and daily life. Damaged houses and public buildings pose huge public safety risks, requiring massive demolition and clearance.
Once the immediate dangers are addressed, the priorities shift to restoring basic services. Engineers will play a crucial role in reconstructing power, water, sewerage, and pumping stations—much of which has been cracked, broken, or obliterated by bombardment. According to John Tookey, Professor of Construction Management at Auckland University of Technology, "Any engineering solution will need to provide this level of support if not substantially more. This is a huge commitment for funders and engineers." Without functioning infrastructure, the risk of disease outbreaks and further human suffering remains high.
But even as the world watches the first tentative steps toward recovery, the scale of the challenge is sobering. Historical precedents offer a sense of perspective: Stalingrad took more than 20 years to reconstitute after World War II, while Warsaw’s postwar reconstruction did not finish until the 1980s. Experts warn that, based on past models—such as the aftermath of Israeli bombings in 2014 and 2021—rebuilding Gaza’s housing could take up to 80 years if there is no “good planning.” However, with careful strategy and key policy shifts, the timeline could be shortened significantly.
What are those shifts? First, Israel needs to ease its restrictions on construction materials. In the past, supplies like cement and steel were classified as "dual-use" and tightly controlled, stalling reconstruction. Second, Gaza needs better import logistics. Relying solely on trucks through border crossings isn’t enough for the massive volume of materials required; building a deep-water port could be a game changer, enabling the arrival of thousands of containers at once. Third, recycling some of the debris for new construction could help address both waste management and material shortages. Finally, proper planning is needed—designing temporary camps that can evolve into permanent neighborhoods, restoring essential services, and supporting people as they return home.
All of this, of course, comes with a hefty price tag. The UN, European Union, and World Bank have jointly assessed that about $70 billion will be needed for full reconstruction, with $20 billion required in the next three years alone. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric emphasized at a recent briefing reported by ANTARA, "The cost of rebuilding Gaza will be enormous. The international community must unite and we really hope they will unite for the sake of Palestine." There are “very good indications” from potential donors, including Arab States, European nations, Canada, and the United States, according to Cilliers. Oil-rich Gulf states such as the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia are likely to contribute, while Egypt could serve as a logistical base.
Yet, there are strings attached. As Mona Yacoubian noted, "They have signaled that they will not fund reconstruction in Gaza in the absence of a longer-term solution to the conflict. And in particular, they are looking to see demonstrated progress on a path toward Palestinian statehood." The politics of aid are as complex as the logistics of rebuilding. Some countries want to see real movement towards peace and Palestinian self-determination before they commit resources.
Meanwhile, the people of Gaza wait. More than 300,000 Palestinians have moved north to Gaza City since the ceasefire, hoping for relief and the chance to start anew. Immediate needs—food, medicine, water, and shelter—remain acute. UN agencies like UNRWA have managed to provide some support, delivering 18 million liters of water to 370,000 people and removing thousands of tonnes of solid waste in just two weeks, but the needs far outstrip the aid available.
Rebuilding Gaza is not just a matter of bricks and mortar; it’s about restoring hope and the means to sustain life for millions. The world faces a monumental test of will, coordination, and compassion. Whether the international community can rise to meet it remains to be seen, but the stakes—for Gaza and for the region—could not be higher.