Istanbul: As Israel reveals controversial plans to permanently reoccupy Gaza, hopes for a ceasefire and meaningful progress on reconstruction have encountered significant obstacles. Following US President Donald Trump's contentious proposal in February, which was widely condemned as a blueprint for the ethnic cleansing of Palestinians, Arab nations countered with an alternative plan in March.
According to Anadolu Agency, although the counterproposal gained broad support from Palestinians and the international community, progress has stalled as Israel continues its military actions in Gaza after breaking a ceasefire in mid-March. These developments highlight the critical point that Gaza's future-and its potential for reconstruction-depends entirely on political will.
Mamoun Besaiso, an advisor to the UN on Gaza's reconstruction, emphasized the necessity of a sustainable political solution and stability in Gaza. He stated, "Without a political solution, we don't think we can start reconstruction, because after two or three years, another war will come, and the destruction will happen (again)." David Prais, chair of the Greater London Investment Fund (GLIF), echoed Besaiso's concerns, stressing the need for political intervention to achieve a ceasefire.
A joint assessment by the UN, EU, and the World Bank estimates that rebuilding Gaza will require more than $53 billion over the next decade, with $20 billion urgently needed within the first three years alone. However, reconstruction faces major material shortages and logistical barriers, primarily due to Israeli restrictions on essential supplies. Besaiso criticized the post-2014 Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism, which gives Israel control over shipments entering Gaza, highlighting the difficulties in bringing essential materials like cement into the region.
Rejecting Trump's proposal as unacceptable, Besaiso reiterated that the Egypt-led plan has been widely supported by Arab and other nations, emphasizing that reconstruction should occur without displacing Gazans. Despite the extensive damage inflicted on Gaza's infrastructure over the past 19 months, both Besaiso and Prais insist that mass displacement is unnecessary.
In addressing funding concerns, the UN advisor emphasized the urgency of initiating reconstruction, expressing confidence in the support from Arab and European donors. Meanwhile, Prais warned that the true cost of reconstructing Gaza could rise significantly, suggesting a need for careful allocation of funds to build a new, improved Gaza.
Both experts concluded with a message of hope, stressing that political resolve and international coordination could lay the groundwork for Gaza's recovery.