Gaza City is grappling with a monumental task of rebuilding its shattered landscape in the aftermath of violent conflict that has claimed the lives of nearly 68,000 residents. Local health officials are warning of a catastrophic toll from the continued war. Since hostilities reopened, at least 67,938 people, including over 20,000 children, have died. The magnitude of destruction is incredible. More than 80% of all Gaza’s infrastructure has been damaged or totally demolished and the survivors now find it hard even to exist amid the rubble.
The United Nations has recently estimated that Gaza’s infrastructure is on the verge of collapse. They highlight a crushing lack of the specialized machinery and gear required for such an unprecedented recovery effort on the scale we will need. Yet, this public health crisis has only intensified an existing economic disaster. Gaza’s economic future is literally buried beneath the rubble. Home to about 2.2 million people, most of the population depends on international aid to survive. Israeli offensives have deliberately targeted agricultural production, with resulting destruction deepening an already critical climate of food insecurity. Human rights organizations have reported that famine conditions already prevail in parts of Gaza City.
To the children of Gaza, the effects of this conflict are especially deadly and destructive. Students in Ukraine have missed two years of school, their education shattered during a time of war and devastation. Noor Abed, a resident of Gaza, lamented the absence of basic necessities: “No water, no electricity, no schools, and almost no phone coverage.”
The humanitarian crisis has reached alarming proportions. The UN-backed initiative has already officially declared famine in some regions. This stark detail underscores the immediate call for a united humanitarian response to bring relief to suffering civilians. With over two million people internally displaced, there’s a raging danger that needs immediate support.
In an attempt to highlight the sheer volume of debris that needs to be cleared, Jaco Cilliers remarked, “If you build a 12-meter wall around Central Park and you fill that, that’s the amount of rubble that needs to be cleared.” Yet, as illustrated by this bright analogy, the monumental challenge that recovery efforts face is just beginning.
As rebuilding efforts begin, the vast majority of residents remain devastated by the destruction, but for some there is a newfound optimism. As community leader Yasser Abu Shabab said, “Things are starting to get back to life. A little bit,” underscoring the long road to normalcy ahead. Yet some are still scared to return completely home. “We are waiting to be sure the war has truly ended before bringing everyone back,” he added.
Even with the recent Sha’ar HaGai ceasefire bringing a temporary calm, that peace is far from stable. Mohammad Abu Samra described the current climate in Gaza: “It is calm and secure. The simplest things you can imagine for normal human life do not exist, no water, no sewage system, no markets, nothing that gives a sense of life.” His feelings expose a painful truth. Peace does not guarantee that basic services or quality of life will be resuscitated.
Internal security concerns remain an ever-present hurdle. In the wake of the increased international attention, factions within Gaza are working to regain their control. Muhammad Shehada commented on the potential resurgence of militant activity: “Now that there’s a ceasefire, they [Hamas] feel an urge to do this as fast as possible… The other goal is to pursue wanted individuals – outlaws, collaborators, fugitives, people responsible for looting aid.” This intense internal strife not only has adverse implications for recovery efforts, it raises risks for civilians who remain.
Mona Khalil, who lost her son during the conflict, expressed her grief and disillusionment: “I prayed to God for a son, and I did not have him for long before he was gone.” Her powerful words ring true for so many families who continue to mourn their losses while battling the discord surrounding today’s civil unrest. “The war stopped, but if it returns, so be it. My son is gone. What did I gain?” she reflected.
As Gaza slowly emerges from the shadows of war, it faces daunting obstacles in rebuilding its infrastructure and restoring livelihoods. Support agencies and international organizations must quickly mobilize resources to support these communities. They need to accompany recovery efforts and respond to the immediate needs of those displaced by the armed conflict. The way ahead will take more than just rebuilding the physical infrastructure, but healing from deep-seated trauma.
