UN, EU, World Bank: $71.4 Billion for Gaza Rebuild

A joint assessment by the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank has estimated that Gaza requires $71.4 billion over the next decade to recover and rebuild from more than two years of conflict. The report, released on Monday, details widespread destruction of infrastructure and a profound humanitarian crisis in the Palestinian territory, where essential services remain severely disrupted under a fragile ceasefire.

The Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment identifies physical infrastructure damages at $35.2 billion and economic and social losses at $22.7 billion. In the first 18 months alone, $26.3 billion would be needed to restore vital services such as banking and communications, reconstruct key facilities including schools and hospitals, and bolster economic recovery. Housing emerges as the most urgent priority, with $16.2 billion required, followed by $10.5 billion for agriculture and food systems, $10 billion for health and $9 billion for commerce and industry.

The conflict, which began with a Hamas-led attack on southern Israel on October 7, 2023, that killed 1,200 people and resulted in the abduction of 251 hostages, prompted an Israeli military offensive....