UN Report Highlights Decades-Long Reconstruction Timeline for Gaza

Gaza: The United Nations has indicated that the reconstruction of Gaza could take up to 80 years due to extensive destruction caused by ongoing conflict. A UN housing expert detailed the severe impact of the offensive launched by Israel on October 7 of the previous year, describing the level of destruction as unprecedented. According to Maan News Agency, Balakrishnan Rajagopal, the UN's independent investigator on the right to adequate housing, highlighted the extensive damage experienced in Gaza. By January 2024, between 60% and 70% of homes were reported destroyed, with the northern region seeing figures as high as 82%. Rajagopal noted that the situation has worsened, particularly in northern Gaza, where destruction rates are nearing 100%. The report also cites a United Nations Development Program study from May, which estimated over 39 million tons of debris in the region. This debris is intertwined with unexploded ordnance, toxic waste, and hazardous materials like asbestos, contributing to severe pollu tion of groundwater and soil. Rajagopal expressed concerns over whether environmental conditions could be remedied in time for the current generation to safely return. Reconstruction efforts face significant challenges, including the necessity to clear the extensive rubble and the need for substantial funding. A major hurdle, however, is the ongoing Israeli occupation, which imposes restrictions on construction materials and equipment, citing their potential dual-use. These restrictions have historically hindered rebuilding efforts, evidenced by the slow pace of home construction after the 2014 conflict, with fewer than a thousand homes built each year. Rajagopal emphasized that unless these restrictions are lifted and the occupation ends, the reconstruction process in Gaza could extend to 80 years, highlighting the urgent need for international intervention and support.