Archive · 7 Oct 2026
Gaza Reconstruction Faces $71.5 Billion Bill and Economic Challenges
Gaza needs a great deal of help to recover after years of war.
A group including the World Bank, the United Nations and the European Union estimates that rebuilding and recovery could cost about $71.5 billion over ten years.
Homes, farms, hospitals, schools, roads, water systems and businesses all need help.
Before some rebuilding can begin, huge amounts of rubble must be cleared and dangerous weapons made safe.
Donors have promised $17 billion, but a promise is not the same as money already spent.
Many people are out of work, and businesses and farms have been badly damaged.
The territory will need outside support because its economy has little ability to pay for rebuilding itself.
Security, governance and access are among the unresolved challenges affecting reconstruction.
A joint World Bank, United Nations and European Union assessment estimates Gaza needs about $71.5 billion for recovery and reconstruction over the next decade.
The assessment estimates $35.2 billion in direct physical damage and $22.7 billion in economic and social losses.
Housing, agriculture and food systems, health, and commerce and industry make up roughly 64 per cent of the reconstruction requirement.
The Board of Peace says it has received $17 billion in pledges, but pledged funds are not necessarily disbursed or spent.
War damage has sharply reduced economic activity, with unemployment at 78 per cent and construction activity down 99 per cent from its 2022 level in 2025.
- Who
- Residents of Gaza, with reconstruction efforts involving the World Bank, United Nations, European Union, Board of Peace and international donors.
- What
- Gaza faces an estimated $71.5 billion recovery and reconstruction requirement over the next decade.
- When
- The assessment covers recovery over the next decade, following the war triggered by the Hamas-led attack on Israel on 7 October 2023.
- Where
- Gaza.
- Why
- War damage and economic and social losses have devastated housing, infrastructure, services and economic activity.
Reconstruction needs
Barriers and constraints
Funding
Reconstruction needs
The Board of Peace reports $17 billion in pledges, and donor governments and institutions are identified as potential sources of support.
Barriers and constraints
The estimated need is about $71.5 billion, and pledged funds are not necessarily disbursed, contracted or spent.
Rebuilding and economic recovery
Reconstruction needs
Clearing debris and restoring services could allow homes, businesses, agriculture and jobs to return.
Barriers and constraints
The assessment describes a severely weakened economy, while security, governance, access and Hamas' disarmament remain unresolved challenges.
Private investment
Reconstruction needs
Private investors could eventually contribute to sectors including energy, telecommunications, housing, logistics and manufacturing.
Barriers and constraints
Private capital is unlikely to enter at scale while security, property rights, governance and access remain uncertain.
- Estimated ten-year reconstruction requirement
- About $71.5 billion
- First 18-month requirement
- $26.3 billion
- Direct physical damage
- $35.2 billion
- Economic and social losses
- $22.7 billion
- Reported reconstruction pledges
- $17 billion, according to the Board of Peace
- Structures sustaining damage
- 201,290, or about 82 per cent of Gaza's structures, as of 16 June 2026
- Debris to be removed and managed
- More than 68 million tonnes, estimated to cost more than $1.7 billion
- Six-month recovery programme
- $2.45 billion for 66 projects, unveiled by the Board of Peace in September