Report finds Gaza needs more than $71bn in next decade for recovery

Lead

A joint European Union and United Nations assessment, published Monday, estimates that Gaza will need more than $71 billion over the next decade for recovery and reconstruction after more than two years of war. The final Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA), developed in coordination with the World Bank, concludes that the conflict has had a "catastrophic impact on human development," setting the territory back by 77 years, according to multiple outlets including France 24 and RFI.

Coverage Comparison

The report's headline figure of $71.4 billion (€60.6 billion) was cited consistently across all covered sources. France 24 and RFI both reported the EU-UN statement that the war "has led to unprecedented loss of life and a catastrophic humanitarian crisis." Al Jazeera's coverage described the conflict as "Israel's genocidal war," while Dawn and other outlets used more neutral language such as "Israel's assault" or "the war." Africa News added that Gaza will need "close to eight decades" to fully recover, a characterization echoed by the assessment's finding on human development.

Key Claims

Recovery costs – The EU and UN estimate recovery and reconstruction needs at approximately $71.4 billion over the next decade. About $26.3 billion is required in the first 18 months to restore essential services, rebuild critical infrastructure, and support economic recovery, as reported by France 24, Dawn, and others. Physical infrastructure damages are estimated at $35.2 billion, with economic and social losses amounting to $22.7 billion, according to a joint statement quoted by multiple outlets.

Human development setback – The assessment found that the scale of deprivation across living conditions, livelihoods, food security, gender equality, and social inclusion has pushed back human development in Gaza by 77 years. This finding was included by Africa News, RFI, and France 24.

Economic contraction – Gaza's economy has contracted by 84 percent, according to the assessment, as reported by Al Jazeera and France 24.

Casualties – Africa News reported that more than 71,000 people have been killed and close to 200,000 injured, according to local authorities. Al Jazeera cited Gaza's Ministry of Health putting the death toll at more than 72,500. A single outlet (Al Jazeera) carried the figure of 777 deaths since the ceasefire took effect; this has not been independently verified in the other sources.

Housing and infrastructure damage – The assessment found that nearly 372,000 housing units have been destroyed or damaged, more than half of hospitals are non-functional, and nearly all schools have been destroyed or damaged, according to France 24 and RFI. Approximately 1.9 million people — nearly Gaza's entire population — have been displaced, often multiple times, with more than 60 percent having lost their homes.

Rubble clearance and reconstruction efforts – In a separate report, Dawn detailed a UN Development Programme project in which Palestinian workers are crushing and reusing rubble to repave streets in Gaza. Alessandro Mrakic, head of UNDP's Gaza office, said the territory faces one of the largest post-war clearance challenges in memory, with an estimated 61 million tons of rubble. Operations are delayed by hidden explosives and hazardous conditions beneath the ruins, and Palestinian labourers face daily dangers from unstable sites and crossfire risks. Mrakic said UNDP teams have started sorting, crushing, and reusing the rubble to rehabilitate roads and pave areas for shelter and community kitchens. The UNDP says that clearing the rubble could take seven years under ideal conditions, according to Dawn.

Perspectives

The EU and UN emphasized that recovery and reconstruction must be "Palestinian-led" and that the transition from emergency relief to reconstruction at scale is necessary. The assessment, developed with the World Bank, frames the need as both a humanitarian and an economic imperative.

Al Jazeera's coverage highlighted the human cost and the ongoing fragility of the ceasefire, noting that at least 777 people have been killed since the truce took effect, according to Gaza's Ministry of Health. The outlet's use of the term "genocidal war" reflects a more critical stance on Israel's military campaign.

Dawn's reporting focused on the practical challenges of reconstruction, including the dangers faced by Palestinian workers and the slow progress of rubble removal amid stalled political efforts. The article referenced US President Donald Trump's Gaza plan, which aims to build on the October ceasefire but has seen progress stall.

International outlets such as France 24 and RFI presented the report's findings without editorializing, focusing on the scale of destruction and the financial requirements for recovery.