Gaza: Reconstruction cost estimated at $30-40 billion, UN says

Field of destruction. The United Nations on Thursday estimated the cost of rebuilding the Gaza Strip, devastated for nearly seven months by a devastating war between Israel and Palestinian Hamas, at $30-40 billion due to the unprecedented scale of destruction.

“United Nations Development Program (UNDP) estimates for the reconstruction of the entire Gaza Strip exceed $30 billion and may reach $40 billion,” said Abdallah al-Dardari, the office’s regional director for Arab states. UNDP during a press conference in Amman.

“The scale of destruction is enormous and unprecedented (…) This is a mission that the international community has not faced since World War II,” said Abdallah al-Dardari, also UN deputy secretary-general. He added that if Gaza’s reconstruction proceeds through the traditional process, “it could take decades, and the Palestinian people do not have the luxury of waiting decades.” »

72% of residential buildings destroyed

“It is therefore important that we act quickly to move people into decent housing and restore their normal economic, social, health and educational lives. This is our top priority and must be achieved within the first three years after the cessation of hostilities. »

In addition, he estimated the total amount of debris accumulated from the bombings and explosions at “37 million tons.” “We are talking about a colossal figure, and this figure is increasing every day. According to the latest data, it is already approaching 40 million tons.”

The UN representative also clarified that “72% of all residential buildings are completely or partially destroyed.” “Reconstruction must be carefully planned, efficient and extremely flexible, because we do not know how the war will end” or what type of governance will be installed in the Gaza Strip.