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The devastating aftermath of the Gaza war is starkly evident in the immense amount of rubble left behind. The conflict, which resulted in the deaths of nearly 42,000 Palestinians and the destruction or damage of over 163,000 buildings, has left a staggering 42 million tonnes of debris, according to UN estimates. This figure surpasses the debris accumulated in Gaza between 2008 and the war's start by 14 times, and is five times more than the rubble left by the Battle of Mosul in Iraq. The debris continues to grow daily, and if piled up, it would fill Egypt's Great Pyramid 11 times over.
The sheer scale of the destruction presents a daunting challenge for Gaza's residents and the international community. The UN is collaborating with Gazan authorities to address the rubble issue, with a pilot project in Khan Younis and Deir El-Balah to begin clearing roadside debris. Alessandro Mrakic, head of the UNDP Gaza Office, acknowledges the immense challenges ahead, but emphasizes the importance of starting the process now. Israel's military, COGAT, has expressed its intention to improve waste-handling and work with the UN to expand these efforts.
The cost of clearing the rubble is estimated to be around $1.2 billion if the war were to stop now, and it could take up to 14 years to complete the task. Amidst the ruins, some residents, like taxi driver Yusri Abu Shabab, have taken it upon themselves to clear enough debris to erect tents. The war's aftermath has not only left physical scars but also profound emotional ones, as evidenced by the story of 11-year-old Mohammed and his father, Jihad Shamali. They are repurposing the rubble from their destroyed home to create gravestones for the war's victims, a somber task as they recently built a tomb for Shamali's son, Ismail, who was killed while running household errands.
The rebuilding of Gaza faces significant hurdles, including the need for substantial financial and logistical support. The task is monumental, and the long timeline required to clear the debris and rebuild highlights the devastating impact of the conflict. The international community must come together to provide the necessary resources and expertise to help Gaza recover from the war's destruction and rebuild its infrastructure and lives.