Gaza Reconstruction Efforts Underway Amidst Devastation
The British newspaper, The Times, has revealed that according to the latest United Nations data based on satellite images taken between September 22 and 23, approximately 83% of buildings in the Gaza Strip have been damaged, with around 17,734 buildings completely destroyed.
The British newspaper reports that US President Donald Trump initially envisioned a radical redevelopment project for the 25-mile Gaza coastline, transforming it into a "Riviera"-style area with luxury hotels and complexes, and offering residents money to leave and live elsewhere. However, he later adopted a less extreme plan, supported by former British Prime Minister Tony Blair, focused on rebuilding Gaza for its own inhabitants.
Andreas Krieg, Associate Professor at King's College London's School of Security Studies and a fellow at the Middle East Institute, estimates that this reconstruction effort "will be unlike any other in modern history".
The UN has estimated that 54 million tons of rubble need to be removed from Gaza, compared to the 8 million tons of debris left after the destruction of the Iraqi city of Mosul.
A major summit is expected to take place in Egypt, attended by President Trump and Arab and European leaders, to develop a reconstruction plan and secure funding, which could require at least $50 billion, according to World Bank estimates.
The British newspaper predicts that Qatar will invest significant amounts, either through public institutions or private investment funds, and may execute its projects with local companies or in cooperation with Turkish entrepreneurs. A former diplomat expects Emirati investors to use their Egyptian partners to implement projects in Gaza.
It is also likely, he adds, that Turkish President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan will push for significant involvement of Turkish construction companies, as was the case with the reconstruction of Sarajevo.
