Capitals: Europe and the Arabs

A damage and needs assessment in Gaza and the West Bank revealed the need for $53.2 billion for recovery and reconstruction efforts over the next decade, and stated that Gaza bears the vast majority of the destruction.

The United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank issued the "Interim Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment Report" covering the period between October 2023 and October 2024.
Muhannad Hadi, the United Nations Humanitarian Coordinator for the Occupied Palestinian Territory, said that the total amount mentioned in the report reflects damage to infrastructure estimated at about $29.9 billion, economic and social losses of about $19.1 billion, in addition to other recovery-related needs.

The report stated that the housing sector needs the largest share (30%) of recovery needs, while the health, trade, industry, agriculture and food systems sectors also need a large share due to the extensive damage they have suffered and the importance of these economic and social sectors. The education sector needs $3.8 billion for recovery and reconstruction.
Over the next three months, stabilizing essential services and laying the foundation for long-term recovery will require $20 billion.
Sustainable recovery to restore hope and livelihoods
Muhannad Hadi, the UN Resident Coordinator in Palestine, stressed the importance of the opportunity now to lead to a permanent ceasefire in Gaza and the release of all hostages. He said that Palestinians will need to work together to address the enormous challenges of recovery and reconstruction.
He added: “A sustainable recovery process must restore hope, dignity and livelihoods to two million people in Gaza. Achieving this requires a firm commitment from the international community, a broad coalition of donors and innovative financing.”
Hadi stressed that the United Nations stands ready to support the Palestinian people in both humanitarian relief and the future recovery and reconstruction process.
A press release issued by the Office of the UN Coordinator stressed the need for political and operational factors for a large-scale recovery in Gaza. He stated that the humanitarian response remains the primary focus for the foreseeable future, while the United Nations and its partners are carrying out early recovery activities in parallel.
"Once conditions are in place, temporary shelters will be set up, basic services will be restored, economic activity will resume, and individual and social rehabilitation will begin, while long-term recovery and reconstruction progress," said UN official Muhannad Hadi.

Support for the Palestinian Authority
The statement stressed that the essence of achieving these goals is to strengthen the institutions of the Palestinian Authority while rejecting any actions that undermine its ability to continue. It said that international support is necessary to strengthen the capacities of the Palestinian government and ensure the resumption of its full responsibilities in Gaza.
It stated that there is a need to introduce political, institutional and economic reforms, but said that these reforms must be feasible and adequately funded.
The UN statement stressed the need for the international community to 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 UN resolutions and international law, with Jerusalem as the capital of both states.
It stressed that the United Nations will continue to support all efforts to achieve this goal.