In the context of an ongoing ceasefire, residents of Gaza are beginning to navigate the complexities of recovery following extensive devastation. Bulldozers are actively clearing rubble from streets, yet remains of residential areas serve as stark reminders of the conflict. Some parts of Gaza City have been altered dramatically, with many buildings reduced to debris.
Local individuals, such as Abu Iyad Hamdouna, have shared their personal losses, pointing to what was once their home as merely a pile of concrete. Abu Iyad, now 63, expresses skepticism about witnessing the region’s reconstruction, predicting it could take up to a decade. Others, like Nihad al-Madhoun, sift through the wreckage for usable materials, emphasizing the protracted nature of rubble removal.
According to the UN, the damages are estimated at $70 billion, with around 300,000 homes destroyed. Furthermore, the area is entangled with 60 million tonnes of rubble, unexploded ordnance, and other hazards. Amidst this destruction, more than 68,000 fatalities in the past two years have been recorded by health authorities.
Several reconstruction plans have surfaced, including one known as the “Phoenix of Gaza,” conceived by a coalition of Palestinian experts aiming to foster local involvement in recovery efforts. This contrasts sharply with external proposals, such as the ambitious “Gaza Riviera” initiative mentioned by former US President Trump, and another plan dubbed “Great,” which envisions high-tech smart cities under international oversight.
The Palestinian Authority has its own proposals focusing on community cohesion and the needs of the population. However, significant progress hinges on securing political agreements and international funding, as concerns persist regarding stability in the region. Local voices remain central to the discussion on Gaza’s future, raising questions about whose vision for reconstruction will ultimately prevail.
Source: https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/cj41y42qxq8o?at_medium=RSS&at_campaign=rss