Palestinians residing in the Gaza Strip are expressing a strong desire to escape from the dismal conditions of tent camps and return to their homes if a long-anticipated ceasefire in the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict is upheld. However, upon returning, many will likely find that their homes have been destroyed, leaving them with no means to rebuild.
Israeli military actions have devastated large portions of numerous cities, reducing neighborhoods to piles of rubble and debris. The remnants of buildings stand charred and crumbling, while essential infrastructure such as roads, water, and electricity services is severely damaged. Most healthcare facilities are now inoperative, leaving a significant gap in urgent medical care.
The timeline for reconstruction remains uncertain, and doubts have arisen, particularly after comments from U.S. President Trump suggested that permanently relocating displaced Palestinians outside Gaza may be considered, implying U.S. involvement in taking “ownership” of the enclave.
The ceasefire agreement that entails a gradual cessation of hostilities and the release of hostages does not clarify future governance of Gaza, nor does it address whether Israel and Egypt will lift the blockade that restricts movement into and out of the region, a policy imposed since Hamas took control in 2007.
According to the United Nations, if the blockade continues, it could take over 350 years to reconstruct the devastated areas.
The true scope of the devastation will only be fully understood once hostilities cease, and inspectors are allowed thorough access. The northern region of Gaza, which has suffered the most destruction, has been predominantly evacuated due to military operations initiated in early October.
Using satellite imagery, the U.N. reported last month that approximately 69% of Gaza’s structures have sustained damage or have been completely destroyed, including upwards of 245,000 homes. The World Bank estimated that the damage could reach $18.5 billion, which is nearly equivalent to the combined economic output of both the West Bank and Gaza for 2022, all occurring within the first four months of the conflict.
Israel attributes the widespread damage to Hamas, which launched its offensive on October 7, 2023, resulting in the deaths of around 1,200 individuals, primarily civilians, alongside the abduction of approximately 250 others. In retaliation, Israeli airstrikes have reportedly killed over 47,000 Palestinians, including a significant number who are women and children, although the Health Ministry in Gaza has not disclosed how many fatalities were militants.
Israel contends that over 17,000 militants were neutralized, though it has not provided verifiable evidence. Moreover, the military has released images and videos purportedly showing that Hamas constructed tunnels and rocket launch sites amidst residential neighborhoods and often operated in proximity to schools and mosques.
Before any rebuilding can commence, the colossal task of removing the mountains of debris must be addressed.
The U.N. estimates that the war has generated over 50 million tons of rubble in Gaza, a weight equivalent to twelve times that of the Great Pyramid of Giza. If more than 100 trucks worked continuously, the removal process would extend beyond 15 years. The narrow coastal territory, which houses approximately 2.3 million Palestinians, has limited available space for disposal.
Clearing away the rubble is further complicated by the presence of unexploded ordnance and hazardous materials, in addition to human remains. The Gaza Health Ministry has indicated that many victims of airstrikes remain entombed under the rubble.
The process of clearing debris and eventually restoring homes is projected to require billions of dollars and the capability to import construction materials and heavy machinery into the area—factors that remain uncertain.
The ceasefire arrangement outlines plans for a three- to five-year reconstruction phase, anticipated to occur after all remaining hostages are freed and Israeli troops withdraw. However, achieving this goal demands consensus on the second phase of the agreement, which has yet to be negotiated.
The ability to rebuild hinges on the blockade, which critics argue serves as a means of collective punishment. Israel maintains that the blockade is necessary to thwart Hamas from restoring its military strength, asserting that materials such as cement and metal pipes could also facilitate tunnel and rocket construction.
Should Hamas lose power, Israel might be more willing to consider lifting the blockade; however, there are currently no plans for a government to succeed Hamas.
The United States and the broader international community aim for a revitalized Palestinian Authority to take charge in the West Bank and Gaza, with support from Arab nations leading towards eventual statehood. Nevertheless, this is an unacceptable proposition for the Israeli government, which opposes a Palestinian state and has dismissed any involvement by the Western-backed authority in Gaza.
International donors are likely to hesitate in investing in a territory that has faced five conflicts in less than twenty years, meaning that the sprawling tent camps along Gaza’s coastline could become a permanent aspect of life for its inhabitants.
