Gaza’s 15-month nightmare: 21 years to clear rubble and human debris

The aftermath of the 15-month-long conflict between Israel and Hamas has left Gaza in ruins, with the United Nations estimating that the rebuilding process will take billions of dollars and span several decades. The damage, both physical and psychological, is staggering, as entire neighbourhoods and vital infrastructure lay in shambles. This destruction, triggered by a Hamas attack on Israel in October 2023, has had profound humanitarian consequences, and recovery remains an uncertain, long-term effort.

Gaza’s struggle with rubble and loss

The scale of the destruction in Gaza is overwhelming. More than 50 million tonnes of rubble remain from the bombings, and the UN’s damage assessment suggests that it could take up to 21 years to clear the debris. The costs of this process are astronomical, with an estimated $1.2 billion needed to remove the rubble alone. The wreckage may contain hazardous materials like asbestos, as well as, human remains. Tens of thousands are still missing beneath the wreckage, while entire families search desperately for loved ones in the rubble.

Refugees from areas like Jabalia, where the largest refugee camp in Gaza once stood, are facing unimaginable grief. For people like Duaa al-Khalidi, who lost multiple family members, the conflict has torn not just their homes but their futures apart. Jabalia was a central site of fighting, with over 4,000 Palestinians dying in Israel’s military operations.

The long road to reconstruction

Rebuilding Gaza will be an incredibly slow process. According to UN estimates, two-thirds of the buildings in Gaza have been destroyed or heavily damaged. This includes over 170,000 homes, leaving more than 1.8 million people in need of emergency shelter. Over the next decade, Gaza will continue to struggle with the devastation that will take at least until 2040 to rebuild. The scale of the destruction means that Gaza’s development has been set back by nearly 70 years, and the effort to restore its infrastructure is expected to last far longer than the conflict itself.

Infrastructure in ruins: The toll on daily life

The war has devastated Gaza’s infrastructure, with an estimated $18.5 billion in damage. Roads, schools, hospitals, and essential services have been ravaged. The destruction of 68% of Gaza’s road network and the near-total destruction of its water sources have left the region in an acute state of crisis. In addition, the destruction of over 200 government buildings, nearly 140 educational institutions, and hundreds of religious sites has compounded the region’s struggles. In Gaza City, the damage is especially severe, with neighbourhoods that once housed vibrant communities now reduced to ghost towns.

Gaza’s agricultural disaster

Beyond homes and buildings, the war has decimated Gaza’s agricultural land, a crucial source of sustenance for the population. More than half of Gaza’s farmland has been destroyed, including orchards, crops, and livestock. The UN’s Food and Agriculture Organization reported the loss of nearly all the sheep in the region and significant losses in cattle numbers. With hunger already widespread, this destruction leaves the population with limited resources to feed themselves, and the long-term impact on food security is a growing concern.

Education and health services in crisis

The destruction of educational and health infrastructure in Gaza has left many without access to basic services. Over 800 mosques and churches, and nearly 140 schools, have been reduced to rubble. In January 2024, the UN reported that only 17 out of Gaza’s 36 hospitals were partially operational, creating an overwhelming strain on the region’s healthcare system. The survivors, many of whom have been left without homes or access to medical care, now face the challenge of rebuilding their lives from the ground up.