UN, EU, and World Bank Estimate $53 Billion Needed for Gaza and West Bank Reconstruction
The preliminary assessment reveals the immense cost of rebuilding Gaza and the West Bank after 15 months of conflict, with significant damage to infrastructure, agriculture, and housing..
Watan-A report issued by the United Nations, the European Union, and the World Bank on Tuesday stated that the needs for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip and the West Bank—after 15 months of Israel’s war on Gaza and the military operation in the West Bank—will exceed $53 billion.
The rapid, preliminary damage and needs assessment indicated the need for $53.2 billion for recovery and reconstruction over the next ten years, including $20 billion in the first three years.
A week ago, UN Secretary-General António Guterres wrote in a report prepared at the request of the General Assembly that the necessary amounts for recovery and reconstruction in the short, medium, and long term in Gaza “are estimated at about $53.142 billion. Of this amount, the necessary short-term financing for the first three years is estimated at about $20.568 billion.”
Gaza Reconstruction Estimated at Over $80 Billion Amid Unprecedented Destruction
Earlier, a study by the American Rand Corporation revealed that rebuilding Gaza would cost more than $80 billion, with debris removal alone estimated at over $700 million.
Reconstruction of Gaza includes several key aspects, including:
- Basic infrastructure: Rebuilding water and sewage networks, reconstructing electricity grids, and rehabilitating roads, bridges, and public transportation.
- Housing and buildings: Rebuilding homes and commercial buildings.
- Healthcare facilities: Rebuilding damaged hospitals and health centers.
- Educational facilities: Repairing schools, universities, and educational institutions.
- Revitalizing productive sectors: Such as agriculture and industry.
- Debris removal: Clearing war debris.
- Clearing unexploded ordnance: Ensuring areas are free of unexploded weapons.
- Rehabilitating the public sector and government services: Restoring essential government functions and services.
The Israeli bombing of the besieged Gaza Strip has caused an “unprecedented level of destruction in modern history,” according to a previous UN report.
Gaza Faces Severe Damage: 69% of Buildings Destroyed, Healthcare and Schools Struggling
According to a damage assessment conducted by the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) last month, as of December 1, nearly 69% of buildings in the Gaza Strip were damaged or destroyed, totaling 170,812 buildings.
The UN health organization also states that only 18 out of 36 hospitals (50%) are operating “partially,” with a total capacity of 1,800 beds.
As of December 1, UNICEF reported that at least 496 schools, or nearly 88% of the 564 registered facilities, were damaged. Among these, 396 schools were directly hit by airstrikes.
Agricultural Areas
According to images taken by UNOSAT on September 26, 2024, 68% of the agricultural land in Gaza, equivalent to 103 square kilometers, was damaged due to the war.
In the North Gaza Governorate, 79% of agricultural land was damaged, while in Rafah Governorate, 57% was affected.
Agricultural assets (including irrigation systems, livestock farms, orchards, equipment, and storage facilities) were severely damaged, with damage estimates ranging from 80% to 96% by early 2024, according to a report published by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development in September.
Road Network
As for the road network, about 68% of the total roads in Gaza were damaged, with a total of 1,190 kilometers destroyed, according to an “initial analysis” conducted by UNOSAT on August 18.
