The potential investors – the wealthy Gulf states (mainly Saudi Arabia, the Emirates and Qatar) – will not be able to finance the required reconstruction themselves, since they also have internal needs and much more attractive investment destinations around the world.

These countries seek various types of benefits through their investments abroad – economic benefits (i.e., a return on investment to diversify their economies), creating influence in the markets in which they invest, political benefits (relations with the West), and strengthening stability in the region, which is a clear national security interest for them.

In this regard, it is unclear what the motivation of the Gulf states will be to pour a sea of ​​money into the Gaza Strip and not into Lebanon or Syria. First, past experience proves that investing in the Gaza Strip is not a safe investment due to the rounds of fighting every few years. 

The economic benefits of investing in the Gaza Strip are also quite limited (except perhaps for the potential of the gas field off its coast), so this is another reason that could cool the enthusiasm of the Gulf states to invest there massively, and we haven’t even talked about the issue of governance “the day after.” 

However, the last 15 months have made it clear to the Gulf states that the explosive potential of the conflict in Gaza is very close. to them (the Houthis, Iran) and this is a consideration that could encourage them to invest in the hope that it will increase regional stability.

In conclusion, it seems that the Gazans will have to wait longer before their homes are rebuilt.