Sun Jan 26 00:08:45 IST 2025: ## Gaza Reconstruction Faces Herculean Task After War Sets Back Development by 60 Years

**Davos, Switzerland** – The devastation wrought by the recent Israel-Hamas war has set back Gaza’s development by a staggering 60 years, according to the United Nations. Reconstruction efforts will require tens of billions of dollars and face immense challenges, the head of the UN Development Programme (UNDP), Achim Steiner, warned at the World Economic Forum in Davos.

Steiner stated that 65-70% of Gaza’s buildings have been destroyed or damaged, leaving two million people without shelter and essential services. The destruction extends beyond buildings, encompassing the complete collapse of public infrastructure, including sewage, water, and waste management systems. He emphasized the human cost beyond the statistics, highlighting the widespread desperation.

The sheer scale of the rubble – estimated at 42 million tonnes – presents a major obstacle. Removing it will be dangerous and complex due to the presence of unexploded ordnance and potentially unrecovered bodies. While recycling some materials is a possibility, the initial phase will involve creating temporary disposal sites.

Steiner stressed that reconstruction will not be a short-term endeavor. He anticipates it will take “years and years” to rebuild both physical infrastructure and the shattered economy, noting the loss of personal savings, loans, and businesses. The UNDP chief highlighted that the cost of physical reconstruction alone will reach tens of billions of dollars, raising concerns about securing the necessary funding.

The fragile ceasefire, while offering a glimmer of hope, adds further complexity. The immediate priority remains life-saving aid, with long-term reconstruction plans hampered by the ceasefire’s volatility. With virtually every school and hospital severely damaged or destroyed, the need for temporary infrastructure is urgent, Steiner concluded.

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