Witkoff's Gaza Reconstruction Assessment: Rebuilding Could Take 15 Years
U.S. Special Envoy to the Middle East, Steve Witkoff, has assessed the staggering need for recovery efforts following the recent conflicts ravaging Gaza, indicating the process of rebuilding the devastated enclave may take between 10 to 15 years. After witnessing the destruction firsthand during his unprecedented visit, Witkoff expressed disbelief at the extent of damage wrought upon infrastructure, homes, and community resources.
During his trip to Gaza, Witkoff described the situation to Axios: "People are moving north to get back to their homes and see what happened and turn around and leave … there is no water and no electricity. It is stunning just how much damage occurred there.” His visit, marking the first by a senior U.S. official to Gaza since 2008, came amid discussions surrounding the ceasefire between Israel and Hamas, aimed at implementing the cessation of hostilities and restoring order.
According to Witkoff, who has extensive business ties in the Gulf region as a real estate investor, the perceived timeline for recovery has been grossly underestimated. He highlighted the enormity of the task at hand: "There has been this perception we can get to a solid plan for Gaza in five years. But it’s impossible. This is a 10 to 15-year rebuilding plan.”
The devastation outlined by Witkoff aligns with recent reports and assessments by various agencies, including the United Nations, which stated 92% of all housing units have been affected during the conflict. Witkoff emphasized this point saying, "There is almost nothing left of Gaza. Many unexploded ordnances. It is not safe to walk there. It is very dangerous. I wouldn’t have known this without going there and inspecting.”
During his visit, Witkoff also focused on inspecting the security arrangements at the Netzarim and Philadelphi Corridors, which have been established to enable the safe return of displaced Palestinians. He stated, “The security arrangements at Netzarim and Philadelphi Corridors are working much more efficiently than anticipated.” The corridors serve as lines of passage for Gazans returning to assess their homes, many of whom find their neighborhoods unrecognizable and uninhabitable.
With over 50 million tonnes of rubble estimated to be present, the removal effort alone poses significant challenges, projected by the U.N. to take up to 21 years and cost approximately $1.2 billion. Compounding the situation, debris contains hazardous materials such as asbestos, and considerable loss of life remains, with many families unable to adequately mourn as bodies lie beneath the ruins.
The reconstruction discourse has sparked politically sensitive debates, including suggestions from President Trump for Arab nations to accommodate up to 1.5 million displaced Palestinians. These proposals, vehemently opposed by Palestinian leaders and neighboring Arab states, indicate tensions and political ramifications surrounding Gaza's future. Witkoff stated he did not discuss the relocation plans with Trump during his visit.
Even as reconstruction looms large, facilitating immediate humanitarian aid and addressing urgent needs remain priorities. Witkoff underscored the importance of supporting re-entry efforts for families attempting to return to their homes, asserting, “Hopefully we’ll get to phase two as well, and we’ll get everybody out who is alive, back to their families, and bodies, because there are many families who are waiting for the bodies of their children.”
His remarks were shared following Trump's controversial comments describing Gaza during his recent public addresses. Trump has characterized the area as "literally a demolition site,” and advocated for the displacement of residents. While some government officials and humanitarian organizations stress the need for immediate services and support for the populace, the geopolitical stakes complicate relief efforts.
According to eyewitness accounts and by local media reports, as Palestinians returned to northern Gaza, many were met with utter desolation—their neighborhoods unrecognizable. Witkoff's poignant reminders of the traumas faced present evidence of the significant psychological toll on people coming back to nothing but ruins.
Establishing plans for rebuilding Gaza must not only include logistical and financial frameworks. Acknowledging the emotional and social ramifications of such redevelopment is equally important, as communities seek to restore normalcy amid destruction. The full effort, as Witkoff indicates, requires international cooperation and focused strategies to address humanitarian needs intertwining with rebuilding initiatives.
The plight of Gaza serves as both a humanitarian crisis and complex geopolitical challenge, inviting global dialogue on the future of the region and the support mechanisms needed to allow for healing and reconstruction as it faces arduous years of recovery. Observers worldwide remain attuned to how the international community will respond and the pathways set forth for local governance and support.