Palestinians inspect the site of an Israeli strike on a house, amid the ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, in Al Maghazi refugee camp in the central Gaza Strip on Oct 19, 2024. - Photo: REUTERS
AMMAN: United Nations housing expert Balakrishnan Rajagopal has warned that the reconstruction of Gaza could take 80 years if Israeli occupation forces continue their aggression, as reported by the Palestine News and Info Agency (WAFA).
According to the official UN website, Rajagopal, who serves as an independent UN investigator monitoring the right to adequate housing, stated that by January 2024, between 60% and 70% of homes in Gaza would have been destroyed, with the northern region experiencing a destruction rate of 82%.
He highlighted the significant worsening of the situation, particularly in northern Gaza, where destruction is approaching 100%.
A recent report from the United Nations Development Programme indicated that by May, over 39 million tonnes of debris was present in Gaza.
This debris is mixed with unexploded ordnance, toxic waste, asbestos from collapsed structures, and other materials.
Rajagopal expressed concerns about groundwater and soil contamination, describing it as catastrophic and questioning whether the issues could be resolved in time.
He observed that Gaza has suffered an unprecedented wave of destruction since Oct 7, 2023.
When asked about the timeline for rebuilding Gaza, Rajagopal stressed that the debris must first be cleared, funding secured, and, crucially, reconstruction cannot commence until the aggression ceases.
He accused Israel of imposing restrictions on building materials and equipment, citing concerns over dual-use purposes. He also noted that following the 2014 war in Gaza, fewer than a thousand homes were constructed annually. – Bernama-WAFA
