An Emirati news outlet has assessed the projected costs of reconstructing the Gaza Strip's infrastructure and housing.
The Emirati website Aram News on Wednesday reported estimates regarding the cost and timeframe for Gaza’s reconstruction. Hamas claims the damage to key sectors amounts to $70 billion, while the Central Bank estimates that $53 billion will be needed for recovery and rebuilding.
Experts predict that clearing the rubble alone could take between 10 and 15 years. The report noted that if Israel’s restrictions on heavy engineering equipment remain in place, rebuilding all homes could take as long as 80 years.
Current estimates in the Strip indicate that between 51 and 61 million tons of debris—including unexploded ordnance—must be removed. The cleanup cost is estimated at $1.2 billion, with the process expected to take about a decade. In total, around 300,000 housing units were destroyed, representing 60 percent of Gaza’s half-million homes.