The recently published Interim Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment for the Gaza Strip and the West Bank reveals that $53.2 billion is needed for recovery and reconstruction over the next decade, with Gaza sustaining the vast majority of the destruction. This overall figure reflects total estimated physical infrastructure damage around US$29.9 billion and economic and social losses around US$19.1 billion.

This joint assessment conducted by the European Union, United Nations and World Bank, found that housing requires the largest share of recovery needs, with an estimated $15.2 billion, accounting for around 30% of total recovery needs. The health sector ($6.9 billion), commerce and industry ($6.9 billion), and agriculture and food systems ($4.2 billion), also require a large share of recovery needs due to their extensive damage and socioeconomic importance. The education sector requires $3.8 billion for recovery and reconstruction.  Over the next three years, an estimated $20 billion will be required to stabilize essential services and lay the groundwork for long-term recovery.

From the perspective of the European Union any viable recovery and reconstruction process must be firmly rooted in a broader political and security framework.  

The fragile ceasefire offers hope for both Palestinians and Israelis. Rebuilding Gaza will be a long and complex journey. The European Union believes that large-scale recovery requires clear political and operational conditions to be met. These include effective security and governance frameworks, significantly improved access for goods and people into Gaza, and Palestinian leadership in reconstruction.

The international community must make collective efforts to support a just and lasting peace that leads to the realization of the two-State solution – Israel and Palestine, of which Gaza is an integral part, living side-by-side in peace and security, on the basis of United Nations resolutions and international law, with Jerusalem as the capital of both States.

The European Union will continue to support all efforts towards that goal.

Gaza and West Bank Interim Damage and Needs Assessment: