The United Nations has projected that more than $53 billion will be needed to rebuild Gaza and address the dire humanitarian crisis caused by the ongoing conflict. Of this amount, at least $20 billion is required in the first three years alone to begin recovery efforts, the UN reported on Tuesday.
The report stresses that reconstruction cannot proceed without a stable “political and security framework.” It calls for measures to facilitate rebuilding while also setting the stage for a broader political resolution—specifically, the swift end of Israel’s occupation and the establishment of a viable two-state solution.
Gaza has suffered extensive destruction since the start of Israel’s military offensive, launched in response to Hamas’s unprecedented attack on October 7, 2023. Essential infrastructure such as schools, hospitals, and housing has been left in ruins. UN Secretary-General António Guterres acknowledged the report provides only an early estimate of Gaza’s massive reconstruction needs, not a comprehensive assessment.
According to the document, rebuilding and recovery across different sectors in Gaza will require staggering financial resources. Housing alone is projected to need $15.2 billion, given that more than 60% of homes have been destroyed. The commerce and industry sectors, along with healthcare, each require approximately $6.9 billion. Other sectors facing steep costs include agriculture ($4.2 billion), transport ($2.9 billion), water and sanitation ($2.7 billion), and education ($2.6 billion). Additionally, environmental recovery is expected to cost $1.9 billion due to the removal of more than 50 million tons of debris, some of which contain hazardous materials and unexploded ordnance.
The UN General Assembly had requested this assessment in December as part of a resolution calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire. The report underscores the need for the Palestinian Authority to lead Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction efforts.
The report was dated January 30, just days before former U.S. President Donald Trump controversially suggested “taking over” Gaza, redeveloping it, and displacing its population—remarks that have been met with global condemnation and firm rejection by Palestinians.