An intentional Non-governmental Organization (NGO) has said it will take 20 years for Gaza’s battered and neglected housing stock to be rebuilt following the war between Hamas and Israel.
The assessment was made by Shelter Cluster, which is co-chaired by the Norwegian Refugee Council with partners of the UN and the Red Cross.
The report by Shelter Cluster underscores the complexities involved in an overall reconstruction program for the Gaza Strip due to the blockade imposed by Egypt and Israel since Hamas rose to power in 2007.
Israel has severely restricted the import of concrete and other building materials into the territory, fearing that militants will use them to build rockets and reinforce cross-border attack tunnels
According to the Shelter cluster report, it will take 20 years for Gaza’s battered and neglected housing stock to be rebuilt following the war between Hamas and Israel.
The report also added at least 17,000 homes were destroyed or severely damaged during the conflict, with many thousands more needing substantial repairs
In the meantime, Palestinian officials have estimated that the reconstruction of Gaza could cost in excess of $6 billion.
Suggestions have been made by Egypt and Norway to convene a Gaza donors’s conference next month. However, no agreement has been reached in this regard so far.
Over 2,100 Palestinians, most civilians, and 71 Israelis were killed in the war which erupted following the murder of three Israeli teens by Hamas operatives in June, prompting Israel to arrest hundreds of Hamas members there.
