The United Nations has highlighted the staggering devastation caused by the ongoing Israeli war on Gaza, estimating that approximately 40 million tons of debris and rubble now cover the region, equivalent to filling New York’s Central Park with 25 feet (8 meters) of debris. The UN predicts that clearing this vast amount of rubble could take up to 15 years and require nearly $650 million in funding.
In September, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR) conducted an assessment using satellite footage, revealing that nearly a quarter of all structures in Gaza have been either destroyed or severely damaged. The report indicated that 66 percent of Gaza’s structures, including over 227,000 housing units, have suffered damage.
Particularly hard-hit were the governorates of Khan Younis and Rafah, where damage surged in comparison to a previous UN analysis from July 2024. Around 1,470 new structures were damaged in Khan Younis, and 3,770 in Rafah.
In addition to structural damage, Gaza’s already fragile infrastructure has been decimated. The 16-year blockade imposed by Israel had already left the infrastructure in poor condition before the war. According to the UN, the conflict has destroyed or severely damaged 92 percent of Gaza’s main roads and more than 84 percent of its health facilities.
Furthermore, nearly 70 percent of Gaza’s water and sanitation plants have been impacted, including all five wastewater treatment facilities, desalination plants, sewage pumping stations, wells, and reservoirs. This widespread destruction poses a severe threat to public health and recovery efforts in the region, leaving Gaza on the brink of a humanitarian crisis.
