Palestinian Minister of Local Governance, Sami Hajawi, has revealed that more than 40 million tons of rubble have accumulated in Gaza after a year of continuous Israeli strikes.
The devastation, which has severely impacted residential buildings, government offices, and homes, is unprecedented in its scale and continues to grow as the bombardments persist.
In a statement on Nile News TV, Hajawi highlighted the significant challenges ahead in clearing the debris, emphasizing that the task will require substantial resources and machinery.
He pointed out that the process will also involve searching for unexploded ordnance, making it even more complex. All efforts, he stressed, are contingent upon an end to the ongoing conflict.
Hajawi noted that the reconstruction of Gaza will depend heavily on support from friendly and neighboring Arab nations.
The timeline for rebuilding will be determined by the resources funneled into the region and the collective efforts of international partners and local Palestinian workers.
He added that the Palestinian government has already launched the National Reconstruction Team for Gaza, with the involvement of various ministries, institutions, and international stakeholders.
The situation in Gaza has been dire since the beginning of renewed hostilities between Israel and Palestinian factions.
The most recent conflict, which escalated significantly in October 2023, has seen severe damage inflicted on Gaza’s infrastructure, compounding the destruction from previous wars.
Over the past year, Israeli airstrikes have targeted a wide range of buildings, further crippling the densely populated region.
The reconstruction of Gaza has long been a critical issue, with past efforts hampered by recurring violence and insufficient resources.
The accumulation of debris—now standing at over 40 million tons—illustrates the immense scale of destruction. The humanitarian crisis has worsened, with the majority of Gaza’s 2 million residents facing dire living conditions due to the lack of basic infrastructure and services.
As the conflict continues, international efforts to broker peace and begin the rebuilding process have gained urgency. However, sustained hostilities threaten any progress towards meaningful reconstruction, leaving Gaza’s future uncertain.
