Why rebuilding Gaza poses huge challenges | DW News

Key Concepts

• Hostage Recovery and Aid Flow: The exchange of bodies of deceased hostages for increased aid into Gaza, with Israel's military reporting discrepancies in recovered remains.
• Humanitarian Crisis in Gaza: Widespread destruction of infrastructure, lack of basic supplies (food, water, shelter), and the impending winter exacerbating the suffering of the displaced population.
• Reconstruction Challenges: Monumental task of clearing rubble, dealing with unexploded ordnance, providing emergency and long-term housing, and rebuilding damaged infrastructure (roads, hospitals, schools).
• Financing Reconstruction: Questions surrounding the funding sources, with proposals for reparations from countries causing damage, Arab investment, and global solidarity, while private investors are deemed unlikely to commit due to high risks.
• Palestinian Agency in Reconstruction: The importance of involving affected Palestinians in the design and implementation of rebuilding efforts.
• UNFPA's Role: Providing essential medical supplies for safe deliveries, postpartum care, dignity kits, hygiene kits, and psychosocial support for women, girls, and youth.
• Ceasefire and Aid Access: The critical need for a sustained ceasefire and unimpeded large-scale aid delivery as immediate priorities.

Hostage Recovery and Aid Restrictions

Israel's military has stated that one of the bodies returned by Hamas does not match the identity of any known hostage. This occurred after Israel announced a reduction in the number of aid trucks allowed into Gaza, threatening further restrictions until all hostage bodies are returned. The jubilation over a ceasefire was short-lived, as the 2 million residents of Gaza continue to face severe shortages of basic necessities.

Humanitarian Crisis and Winter Hardship

The situation in Gaza is described as "utterly tragic," with widespread destruction of homes, leaving many Gazans unhoused and living in tents under catastrophic sanitary conditions. The approaching winter intensifies the urgency for shelter and basic supplies. Reports indicate surging prices for some items due to fears that the recent increase in aid flow will not be sustained. Hundreds of aid trucks are waiting at the Rafa crossing for Israeli inspection and approval for entry.

Reconstruction: A Monumental Task

The rebuilding of Gaza is presented as a monumental challenge, with an estimated 60 million tons of rubble from destroyed houses, hospitals, and schools. Clearing this debris, which is contaminated and may contain unexploded ordnance, is a primary obstacle. Thousands of bodies are believed to be under collapsed buildings, posing serious health risks like cholera and tuberculosis.

Infrastructure Devastation

• Housing: An estimated 90% of houses are damaged or destroyed, leaving the vast majority of Gazans displaced.
• Roads: Nearly 80% of Gaza's roads are damaged.
• Hospitals and Schools: Most are in ruins.
• Debris Removal: This process alone is estimated to take 5 to 10 years, even with complete peace, due to the sheer volume and hazardous nature of the material.

Financing Reconstruction: Uncertainty and Challenges

The financing of Gaza's reconstruction is a major question mark, with estimates suggesting at least $70 billion will be needed.

Proposed Funding Sources:

1. Reparations: From countries that caused the damage, including Israel and those that provided weapons. This is framed as a fundamental rule of international law.
2. Arab Countries: Investment from Arab nations interested in regional peace and stability.
3. Global Solidarity: Contributions from the international community, recognizing the unprecedented level of destruction.

Skepticism Towards Private Investors:

Bal Krishna Raj Gopal, the UN Special Rapporteur on Housing Rights, expresses significant doubt that private investors will commit the necessary large sums due to the high risks, including the potential for renewed conflict and the long timeframes required for any return on investment. He notes that the physical infrastructure has been severely damaged, including roads dug up by bulldozers.

Rebuilding Process and Palestinian Agency

Raj Gopal emphasizes that successful reconstruction requires the affected people to be "in the driver's seat." Palestinians must be centrally involved in the thinking, design, and process of rebuilding.

Immediate Priorities: Ceasefire and Aid

Bal Krishna Raj Gopal and Amani Khan, a humanitarian specialist at UNFPA, both stress that the immediate priorities are:

• Stopping the fighting: Ensuring a lasting ceasefire.
• Allowing aid at scale: Unimpeded and regular access for essential supplies, including shelter.

Khan highlights that rebuilding is not just about physical reconstruction but also about restoring hope, dignity, and well-being for the Gazan people.

UNFPA's Critical Role in Gaza

Amani Khan outlines the critical needs and UNFPA's contributions:

Health Sector:

• Sexual and Reproductive Health: Thousands of pregnant women require safe delivery services. UNFPA is providing medical supplies and equipment for hospitals and primary healthcare centers.
• Postpartum Care: Providing postpartum kits for mothers and babies.
• Women's Protection: Distributing dignity kits and menstrual hygiene management kits.

Education:

• Restoring Formal Education: Addressing the current third year without formal schooling by establishing proper educational spaces for children and adolescents.

Humanitarian Aid and Shelter:

• Food Security: High need for proper, high-energy food, including protein, beyond just canned goods.
• Clean Water: Ensuring access to safe drinking water.
• Shelter: Providing new tents as existing ones are worn out and houses are destroyed.
• Sanitation and Hygiene: Improving conditions in displacement shelters.

Economic Support:

• Cash for Work and Cash Assistance: Providing financial support to help individuals and families survive.

Conclusion

The situation in Gaza is dire, characterized by immense destruction, a severe humanitarian crisis, and the looming threat of winter. While a ceasefire is holding, the path forward for reconstruction is fraught with challenges, particularly concerning financing and security. The immediate focus must be on a sustained ceasefire and the unimpeded flow of humanitarian aid. The rebuilding process itself will be a long-term endeavor, requiring significant international effort and, crucially, the central involvement of the Palestinian people. Organizations like UNFPA are playing a vital role in addressing immediate health and well-being needs amidst the devastation.