DaysofPal— Palestinians in the Gaza Strip are repurposing war debris to repair damaged roads, as reconstruction efforts remain stalled following two years of Israeli genocide.
Under a project led by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), workers are crushing rubble from destroyed buildings, concrete, and twisted metal and reusing it as material to pave roads.
The initiative is seen as a first step toward rehabilitating heavily damaged cities and restoring basic infrastructure.
The project comes as progress on a broader reconstruction plan, proposed by former U.S. President Donald Trump, faces significant delays.
The plan aims to build on the ceasefire that took effect in October 2025 by increasing humanitarian aid and rebuilding Gaza from the ground up.
UNDP officials say the effort is also aimed at clearing massive piles of debris that obstruct access to essential services such as water wells and hospitals while hindering economic recovery.
Alessandro Marracini, head of the UNDP office in Gaza, described the scale of destruction as one of the largest debris-removal challenges in recent history, estimating the total volume at approximately 61 million tons.
“In addition to collecting the rubble, we have started sorting and crushing it for reuse,” Marracini said. “We have used nearly the same amount that we have collected.”
He added that UNDP teams, composed largely of Palestinian workers, are using the recycled material to repair roads and pave areas designated for shelters and community kitchens.
In Khan Younis in southern Gaza, heavy machinery is being used to lift and process piles of damaged concrete, sending clouds of dust into the air. Workers sift through twisted metal and building remnants as part of the recycling process.
Officials warn that the process is being slowed by hidden dangers beneath the rubble. Before debris can be removed, sites must be inspected for unexploded ordnance, in coordination with United Nations demining teams.
The UNDP estimates that clearing debris in Gaza could take up to seven years, assuming unrestricted access to heavy equipment and a steady fuel supply—both of which remain scarce due to ongoing restrictions.
Economic expert Ahmed Abu Qamar said that Gaza’s reconstruction process is entering a prolonged and complex phase, shaped by overlapping humanitarian and economic challenges.
He estimated the total cost of rebuilding at $71.4 billion over the next decade, including $26.3 billion needed within the first 18 months. Direct damages are estimated at $35.2 billion, with an additional $22.7 billion in economic losses.
More than 371,000 housing units have been damaged, with around 60% of the population losing their homes. Gaza’s economy has contracted by 84%, reflecting a near-collapse in production and employment opportunities.
Abu Qamar stressed that successful reconstruction depends on sustained funding, the reopening of border crossings, and reliable supply chains.
He also noted that approximately 60 million tons of rubble continue to obstruct rebuilding efforts and may take years to remove. The presence of unexploded ordnance poses daily risks and further delays construction.
The territory is in urgent need of between 300,000 and 400,000 temporary housing units to address the shelter crisis.
Continued restrictions on the entry of essential materials, he warned, are worsening humanitarian conditions and threatening to prolong recovery efforts.
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