A leading United Nations official has highlighted the urgent need for accelerated reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip, emphasizing the dire conditions faced by Palestinians. Jorge Moreira da Silva, head of the UN Office for Project Services (UNOPS), described a landscape of “total destruction” following his recent visit to the region. He made these remarks as a US-backed truce entered its second phase, stressing that immediate action is crucial.
Da Silva painted a grim picture of Gaza, where vast areas have been reduced to rubble due to nearly two years of intense conflict between Hamas and Israeli forces. Essential infrastructure—residences, hospitals, and schools—has been severely damaged or completely obliterated, causing hundreds of thousands of individuals to seek refuge in temporary shelters. He characterized the living conditions in Gaza as “inhumane.”
The truce’s second phase, which was announced by US Middle East envoy Steve Witkoff, brings a significant opportunity for rebuilding efforts. Da Silva referred to this moment as “historical” and underscored the necessity of leveraging the ceasefire to initiate reconstruction. According to a joint assessment from the World Bank, UN, and the European Commission, the financial requirement for rebuilding Gaza stands at a staggering $52 billion. However, Da Silva stressed the importance of immediate early recovery measures that could be implemented at a much lower cost.
The war had ignited on October 7, 2023, following an unprecedented attack by Hamas on Israel, leading to an ongoing Israeli offensive that has inflicted unprecedented devastation in a region already grappling with the repercussions of past conflicts and an Israeli blockade that has persisted since 2007. Da Silva reported that the conflict has generated approximately 60 million tonnes of rubble, complicating recovery efforts further.
He pointed out the pressing issues surrounding this debris, noting that it contains not only construction waste but also potentially dangerous materials, including unexploded ordnance, hazardous waste, and sadly, human remains. Addressing this situation necessitates urgent actions such as demining operations and the restoration of essential services like water supply networks.
Additionally, Da Silva called for improved access to fuel, a vital resource for generating electricity in a region heavily reliant on fuel-powered generators. He underlined the necessity of lifting restrictions on humanitarian aid and ensuring the entry of spare parts essential for repairs.
Aid organizations in the region have voiced ongoing frustrations regarding the challenges of delivering supplies and equipment, attributing these difficulties to restrictions imposed by Israel. In contrast, Israel maintains that it carefully curates the flow of goods into Gaza to safeguard its security interests.
