After the two-year war on the Gaza Strip ceased, immediate discussions began about the reconstruction phase of the Strip, where (90%) of its houses have been destroyed or damaged. During the last century, Germany, Japan, South Korea, and Rwanda all suffered devastation and destruction due to war. However, they later began a phase of rebuilding. Currently, these four nations possess exemplary growing economies and democratic political systems. Will post-war Gaza become the fifth example? From October (2023) until October (2025), the war and attacks on the Palestinian Gaza Strip by the Israeli army continued. According to reports and statistics from international organizations and media, due to this war, more than (300) thousand apartments and houses have been completely destroyed, and approximately (200) thousand other buildings have sustained extensive damage, amounting to about (90%) of the city’s housing. In addition, approximately (37) hospitals and (105) health centers have been catastrophically damaged, and about (95%) of educational institutions and over (800) mosques have been destroyed or severely damaged. Furthermore, approximately (85%) of water facilities, roads, and sewage systems have been destroyed. According to a United Nations report, the reconstruction of destroyed homes in the Gaza Strip will take at least until (2040). Currently, more than one million and (800) thousand people in Gaza are in need of housing. According to World Bank estimates, Gaza’s reconstruction will require at least fifty billion dollars. The first phase of reconstruction begins with the removal of debris from destroyed houses, estimated at (54) million tons, in addition to the prediction that approximately ten thousand bodies may be under this debris.
Who will help Gaza?
Qatar is expected to allocate a significant amount of money for the reconstruction of Gaza, either through state institutions or private investment funds. For the implementation of its projects, it will rely on local companies or Turkish contractors. As for the UAE, it appears it will carry out its projects through Egyptian investors. Regarding Turkey, President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan is expected to encourage strong participation from Turkish companies and contractors. At the level of giant companies, American companies (KBR and Bechtel), along with British companies (Balfour Beatty and Laing O’Rourke) and design company (Arup), are expected to secure the majority of major reconstruction contracts in Gaza. Sabit Al-Amour, a 47-year-old analyst from Khan Younis in Gaza, estimates that the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip will take a full ten years because “just removing the debris will require two years.” For his part, Shami, a computer engineer from Gaza, is more optimistic, stating, “I believe reconstruction can be a new beginning for Gaza. It will create thousands of job opportunities for those who lost their livelihoods during the war, and it can revive the economy. Young people are waiting for this opportunity; they just want to work and live with dignity.”
