Rebuilding of Gaza

The destruction wrought by the two-year conflict in Gaza has left the region in ruins, with an estimated 55 million tons of rubble equivalent to the weight of 13 pyramids of Gaza scattered across the enclave.

According to Jaco Cilliers, a United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) official, the scale of devastation is staggering and will require decades and billions of dollars to fully recover.

The recent cease-fire, formalized on Monday, brought an end to Israeli bombardments that claimed over 67,800 Palestinian lives, mostly women and children, and left Gaza’s infrastructure decimated. Over 90% of Gaza’s population—more than two million people are displaced, while essential services like healthcare and food supplies are in critical condition.

The UNDP highlighted the extent of the damage, noting that 83% of buildings in Gaza City alone have been damaged. Croplands have been razed, homes flattened, and the medical system shattered. The volume of rubble, if spread across New York’s Central Park, would rise to approximately 12 meters (40 feet) high.

Rebuilding Gaza will be a massive challenge. Cilliers estimated the total cost at around $70 billion, with $20 billion needed in the first three years alone.

The remainder will be required over a longer period, possibly spanning decades. The sheer amount of rubble to be cleared is monumental; the UNDP has already removed about 81,000 tons and continues the painstaking work.

Encouragingly, European and Arab nations, along with Canada and the United States, have shown willingness to contribute toward Gaza’s reconstruction. Though specific pledges have not been detailed, the signs of international support offer a hopeful outlook for Gaza’s future.

Cilliers described these initial gestures as “good indications” and emphasized the importance of sustained global cooperation to tackle what he called “the amount and size of the challenge.”

The rebuilding of Gaza is not just a matter of clearing rubble and reconstructing buildings—it is about restoring lives, livelihoods, and hope for millions. The coming years will test the resilience of Gaza’s people and the commitment of the global community.