Independent United Nations experts have issued a stark warning that reconstruction efforts in Gaza will not succeed unless the underlying causes of the devastation, including the Israeli occupation and systemic discrimination against Palestinians, are tackled. This caution comes in the wake of the publication of the "Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment," a comprehensive report detailing the extensive destruction caused by the war between Israel and Hamas that erupted in October 2023.
Report Highlights Historic Destruction
The experts, including Balakrishnan Rajagopal, special rapporteur on adequate housing, and Francesca Albanese, special rapporteur on human rights in the occupied Palestinian territory, expressed grave concern over the report's findings. The assessment, jointly authored by the United Nations, the European Union, and the World Bank, reveals that more than 371,000 housing units in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged. Approximately 1.9 million people have been displaced, many of them multiple times, leaving over 60 percent of the population homeless.
Root Causes Must Be Addressed
While the report quantifies the scale of the devastation, the experts criticized it for failing to address the fundamental conditions necessary for reconstruction. "The occupation must end, and the dispossession and discrimination against Palestinians must stop if rebuilding is to have any real chance of success," they stated. They emphasized that the destruction of residences represents an unprecedented denial of the right to adequate housing, which is prohibited under international law.
The experts highlighted the disproportionate impact on vulnerable groups. Women, particularly widows and female-led households, face significant barriers in accessing housing, land, and property rights. Overcrowded living conditions undermine privacy and dignity. Persons with disabilities encounter major accessibility challenges in shelters and during rebuilding efforts, while older people have been especially affected by displacement and the loss of community networks.
Call for Human Rights-Centered Reconstruction
The experts urged that reconstruction efforts prioritize international legal obligations, including human rights and humanitarian laws. They stressed that the rebuilding process must be inclusive, participatory, transparent, and accountable, with Palestinians playing a central role in decision-making in line with their right to self-determination. Without clear human rights safeguards, there is a risk that reconstruction will be driven by financial gain rather than needs, potentially excluding vulnerable groups.
"Reconstruction is not only about rebuilding structures, it is about restoring rights, dignity, and equality," the experts said. "Failure to align with international human rights standards risks entrenching injustice and prolonging the suffering of Palestinians for generations."
UN Spokesperson Reiterates Call for Peace
Stephane Dujarric, spokesperson for UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres, told Arab News that the UN stands by the assessment and reiterated calls for conditions that would allow sustainable reconstruction. "What we wanted to see is reconstruction restart in a way that doesn't lead us to another cycle of build, destroy, rebuild, which the Gazans have seen all too often," he said. He stressed that an end to hostilities is essential, adding that "there needs to be the conditions, and one of them is the silencing of the guns, and prospects for peace for reconstruction to start."
Dujarric also highlighted financial challenges, noting that donors would need confidence in the situation before committing funds. "Reconstruction will require a lot of funds, and it is clear that donors will want to see conditions on the ground that they feel are positive enough to start investing the massive amounts of money that are needed," he added. When asked about reconstruction under occupation, Dujarric reiterated the UN's longstanding position calling for an end to the occupation, without setting specific conditions.
