Rebuild Gaza After War: Staggering $70B Cost
The Unprecedented Challenge of Recovery in Gaza
To rebuild Gaza after war is one of the most complex humanitarian challenges of our time. The scale of devastation is staggering:
- $70 billion estimated total reconstruction cost
- 84% of all structures damaged or destroyed (92% in Gaza City)
- 2.3 million people affected, with 1.9 million displaced
- 60 million tonnes of debris to clear
- 15-80 years estimated timeline for full recovery
The destruction is comparable to a Category 5 hurricane, but this devastation was deliberate, targeting infrastructure essential for human life. Over two-thirds of homes are in ruins, schools serve as shelters, hospitals struggle without power, and water treatment plants are shattered.
Since October 2023, over 68,000 Palestinians have been killed and more than 170,000 injured. Nearly 55,000 children suffer from acute malnutrition, facing famine in one of the worst humanitarian crises in recent history. The human toll is immense, with families torn apart and futures uncertain.
This isn’t just about rebuilding structures; it’s about restoring lives and hope. The task requires international coordination, sustained funding, and the leadership of Palestinian experts who know their communities’ needs.
At UMR, years of frontline humanitarian work show that effective coordination and transparent funding are essential. To rebuild Gaza after war, we need strategic action that addresses urgent needs now while building a durable foundation for long-term recovery.
The Scale of Devastation: A Humanitarian and Infrastructural Crisis
The images from Gaza show entire city blocks reduced to rubble. To understand what it will take to rebuild Gaza after war, we must grasp the reality behind the numbers for 2.3 million people.
Quantifying the Destruction
Across the Gaza Strip, 84% of all structures have been damaged or destroyed, climbing to 92% in Gaza City. The UN estimates that 83% of all structures have been damaged, turning a dense urban area into a landscape of destruction.
The recovery is uniquely challenging due to 60 million tonnes of debris that must be cleared. This debris contains unexploded bombs and human remains, requiring painstaking removal. Experts note this is “worse than starting from scratch” as the land itself is hazardous. Unlike a natural disaster, this devastation was deliberate, targeting essential infrastructure. The human cost is immense, with over 68,000 Palestinians killed and more than 170,000 injured since October 7, 2023.
The Staggering Financial Cost
The UN’s estimated $70 billion reconstruction cost is staggering. Initial recovery alone requires $20 billion in the first three years.
The World Bank calculated damages at $18.5 billion through January 2024, and the number continues to climb. This damage equals 97% of the combined GDP of the West Bank and Gaza in 2022, wiping out nearly two years of economic output in months.
The economic devastation is total. More than 200,000 jobs have been lost (90% of the workforce), GDP has dropped 80%, and construction activity has plummeted 96%. This creates a catch-22: Gaza needs billions to rebuild, but its workforce has lost their livelihoods. Families need homes and the means to earn a living.
Critical Infrastructure Collapse
Essential systems for modern life—water, power, healthcare, education—have been dismantled. UMR teams witness this daily while providing aid.
Water and sanitation: Over 70% of facilities are damaged or destroyed, a $1 billion loss. With all wastewater plants damaged, there’s a public health emergency, risking diseases like cholera. Addressing the Water Crisis in Gaza is an urgent priority.
Power grid: Over 80% of assets are destroyed ($494 million in damage). This means hospitals operate in darkness and refrigeration is impossible.
Housing crisis: 282,904 homes are damaged or destroyed, and 1.9 million people are displaced into tents and shelters.
Roads: With 90% of roads in Gaza City damaged, delivering humanitarian aid is incredibly difficult.
Healthcare facilities: Nearly 90% are damaged or destroyed. Only 14 of 36 hospitals are partially functional, creating an unprecedented Palestine Medical Crisis.
Education system: Over 80% of schools are damaged, with 91.8% of UNRWA schools needing major reconstruction. Universities sustained $222 million in damage, requiring an estimated $1 billion to rebuild after clearing debris and unexploded ordnance.
To rebuild Gaza after war means reconstructing every system that makes community life possible.
The Blueprint to Rebuild Gaza After War
The path to rebuild Gaza after war is enormous but not impossible. It requires a blueprint that saves lives now while building for the future. UMR’s experience in crises from Yemen to Sudan shows that effective, coordinated planning is crucial.
Immediate Humanitarian Priorities
Before reconstruction, we must address life-or-death needs.
Food and medicine are top priorities. With famine conditions, over 55,000 Palestinian children suffer from acute malnutrition. UMR is delivering aid and provides resources like our Gaza Food Crisis Complete Guide to explain the crisis.
Shelter is equally critical for 1.9 million displaced people living in tents and schools. UMR provides shelter solutions, knowing a safe space is the first step toward recovery.
Rubble removal is a major challenge. We’ve cleared 81,000 tonnes of debris to create aid routes, but this is a fraction of the 60 million tonnes total. The rubble contains human remains and unexploded ordnance, making removal deadly and slow. Clearing unexploded bombs will take years.
Emergency employment programs address multiple crises at once. UNDP initiatives clear rubble and deliver services while providing income. This aligns with UMR’s focus on livelihoods, as meaningful work restores dignity.
A Sector-by-Sector Reconstruction Plan
Rebuilding Gaza requires a methodical, sector-by-sector approach prioritizing immediate and long-term needs.
Housing is a daunting, decades-long project with 282,904 homes damaged or destroyed. It could take 80 years without good planning, but smart strategies like prefabrication can accelerate the timeline. This requires sustained commitment.
The health system needs urgent attention. Only 14 of Gaza’s 36 hospitals are partially functional. Rebuilding requires equipment, power, and staff. Our Palestine Medical Aid programs address immediate needs, but long-term investment is crucial.
Education is about Gaza’s future. 91.8% of UNRWA schools need reconstruction. Universities need an estimated $1 billion to rebuild, affecting 88,000 students whose futures are on hold.
Agriculture is devastated, with over 82.4% of annual crops damaged. Land must be demined before crops can be restored. This sector is critical for food security and economic independence.
The economy needs emergency intervention. With 90% of the workforce jobless and GDP down 80%, recovery requires employment programs and business grants. Sustainability depends on ending the Israeli blockade.
The Role of International and Local Actors
This challenge requires coordination between international donors, the private sector, and, most importantly, Palestinian leadership.
International donors have pledged billions, but only 26.8% has been released. Sustained, transparent funding is essential for any plan to succeed.
Private sector plans, like the “GREAT Trust” and an initiative linked to Tony Blair, have emerged. While they show interest, questions remain about their feasibility and alignment with local needs.
Palestinian leadership must be central to reconstruction. Research shows Palestinian leadership in reconstruction is essential. Local experts possess unparalleled knowledge of their communities’ needs. UMR believes in partnering with local organizations, as community-led programs are most effective. Decisions about Gaza’s future must be informed by the affected communities.
Overcoming the Obstacles to Reconstruction
The road to rebuild Gaza after war is long and filled with obstacles. Our UMR teams know from experience in Yemen and Sudan that the real barriers are often political, logistical, and psychological.
Political and Security Problems
The biggest roadblock is political: the blockade on Gaza. Even with unlimited funding, essential construction materials like cement and steel cannot enter in the needed quantities. This is why none of the 19,000 homes destroyed in previous conflicts have been rebuilt. This is devastating for families waiting for homes that can’t be built.
Governance challenges add complexity. Political divisions among Palestinian factions hinder coordinated planning. Security concerns are also paramount. Reconstruction requires a permanent ceasefire, not temporary pauses. Without security guarantees and accountability for violations of international law, our teams cannot work safely, and there is no foundation for trust.
Logistical and Environmental Nightmares
Even without political problems, the practical challenges are staggering. The 60 million tonnes of debris can’t be bulldozed, as it contains unexploded bombs, toxic chemicals, and human remains. The UN warns that clearing unexploded bombs will take years, preventing families from returning.
Contamination from hazardous materials in the rubble complicates reconstruction, requiring extensive testing before materials can be reused. Gaza also desperately needs new port infrastructure, independent of outside controls, to import the massive quantities of materials required. Basic waste management has also collapsed, with the system completely overwhelmed.
Healing the Invisible Wounds of a Traumatized Population
Beyond the physical destruction, the war has caused deep psychological wounds that concrete and steel cannot heal. The impact is deepest among children. Even before this conflict, four out of five children in Gaza lived with depression, grief, and fear. This trauma has now deepened.
The UN reports at least 17,000 unaccompanied children in Gaza who have lost or been separated from their families. Each child needs specialized care and support.
This is why long-term mental health support is as critical as rebuilding infrastructure. Our work addressing the Palestine Medical Crisis shows that healing requires treating both visible and invisible wounds through therapy, counseling, and community support.
To truly rebuild Gaza after war, we must focus on healing people, not just buildings. A home requires safety and hope. This healing takes time, resources, and sustained commitment from organizations like UMR and our partners on the ground.
Frequently Asked Questions about how to rebuild Gaza after war
People often ask what recovery in Gaza will really look like. Based on assessments from the UN, World Bank, and our teams, here are answers to the most common questions.
How much will it cost to rebuild Gaza?
The UN estimates place the total cost to rebuild Gaza after war between $50 billion and $70 billion. Immediate recovery requires at least $20 billion in the first three years for debris clearance, restoring basic services, and temporary housing for the 1.9 million displaced people.
The World Bank assessed damages at $18.5 billion through January 2024, a figure that continues to climb. The damage equals 97% of the combined 2022 GDP of the West Bank and Gaza.
How long will the reconstruction take?
The timeline is uncertain and depends on political stability, funding, and lifting the blockade. The UN’s optimistic estimate is at least 15 years, but some experts warn it could take 80 years without proper planning and an end to the blockade, which has prevented the rebuilding of 19,000 homes from previous conflicts.
Historical precedents like post-WWII Warsaw and Stalingrad took decades. Gaza faces similar challenges with debris, unexploded ordnance, and the need to rebuild entire systems. Smart planning, such as using prefabrication, could reduce the timeline, but without it, reconstruction could take a lifetime.
What are the biggest challenges to rebuilding Gaza?
The obstacles are complex and interconnected. Effective reconstruction requires addressing multiple barriers at once.
Securing massive funding is a major challenge. Only 26.8% of pledged funds have been released, and without sustained funding, plans will fail.
Lifting the blockade is critical. Without access for construction materials, reconstruction cannot happen, which is why past efforts have failed.
Clearing debris and unexploded bombs is a dangerous and massive logistical challenge. The 60 million tonnes of rubble contains unexploded ordnance and human remains, and clearing it will take years.
Establishing stable governance and security is the foundation for everything. Political fragmentation and security concerns must be resolved to attract investment and prevent rebuilt structures from being destroyed again.
Addressing psychological and social trauma, especially in children, is a critical but often overlooked challenge. True recovery requires long-term mental health support, which is why our Palestine Medical Crisis response includes it. These challenges require coordinated action, sustained commitment, and leadership from Palestinian experts.
Conclusion: The Path from Crisis to Hope
The journey to rebuild Gaza after war is a defining humanitarian challenge. The numbers are overwhelming and the obstacles seem impossible, yet I see more than just ruin. I see the resilience of the Palestinian people, which is the foundation for any successful reconstruction.
But resilience isn’t enough. Rebuilding Gaza requires a sustained political solution that addresses the root causes of the conflict. Without lifting the blockade, establishing stable governance, and ensuring accountability, any rebuilding will be a temporary fix.
This is where humanitarian organizations like United Mission for Relief and Development step in with tangible action. Our experience from Sudan to Yemen shows that recovery requires combining immediate relief with long-term commitment. In Gaza, we’re providing emergency food, medicine, clean water, medical aid, and support for education and livelihoods.
UMR’s commitment is measured in tangible results: aid reaching families, clean water from new wells, life-saving medical supplies, and programs for children. We work with local Palestinian experts to ensure aid is effective.
The path from crisis to hope is long and requires sustained effort, transparent funding, coordinated leadership, and the political will to address root causes. We must walk this path together. Every contribution and act of solidarity matters. Rebuilding Gaza is about restoring dignity, hope, and creating a future free from fear.
We invite you to join us in this crucial work. Learn more about UMR’s work and how you can support the people of Gaza. Your support provides survival and the possibility of a future where Gaza’s children can grow up in peace. Together, we can help write a new chapter of recovery, resilience, and renewal.
