Israel-Hamas Conflict: Rebuilding Gaza’s Devastation
The ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas has left Gaza in ruins, with a massive reconstruction effort needed.
Rebuilding Efforts and Timeline
A UN official stated that rebuilding Gaza would cost $30 billion to $40 billion and require a monumental effort not seen since World War II.
The United Nations report suggests that even if the war were to end today, it would take until 2040 to rebuild all the destroyed homes in Gaza.
With nearly seven months of bombardment and ground offensives, images show most of Gaza turned to rubble.
Extent of Damage and Reconstruction Challenges
At least 370,000 housing units have been damaged, with 79,000 completely destroyed, according to the report.
Even with a five-fold increase in construction material, it would still take until 2040 to rebuild the destroyed houses.
Cost of Rebuilding and Economic Impact
The cost of reconstruction is estimated to exceed $30 billion and could reach $40 billion, severely impacting Gaza’s economy.
The Israeli offensive has caused an 81% contraction in Gaza’s economy, with sectors experiencing losses of over 90%.
If the war continues, poverty levels are projected to more than double, pushing over 1.86 million people into poverty.
Humanitarian Crisis and Future Concerns
The destruction and rise in poverty levels pose a serious development crisis that jeopardizes the future of generations in Gaza.
Gaza, home to 2.3 million people, has been blockaded since 2007, exacerbating the challenges faced by its residents.
