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Gaza Faces Massive Rubble Challenge After Year of Conflict

In the devastated neighborhood of Khan Younis, 11-year-old Mohammed is diligently collecting rubble from what was once his family home. He carefully gathers pieces of fallen debris and crushes them into gravel, which his father, Jihad Shamali, plans to use for making gravestones for those lost in the ongoing violence. “We gather these materials not for reconstruction, but to honor those we have lost,” explains Shamali, a former construction worker, whose home was significantly damaged during an Israeli military operation in April.

The task is laborious and laden with sorrow. Just months ago, Shamali and his family crafted a tomb for his son Ismail, who tragically died while running errands. This small act reflects a larger, pressing need to manage and clear the unimaginable amount of debris resulting from Israel’s extensive military operations against the Palestinian group Hamas.

The United Nations (U.N.) has reported that Gaza holds an astonishing 42 million tonnes of rubble, caused by extensive aerial bombardments and ground assaults. This figure is vastly more than the debris accumulated during the previous significant conflicts. For context, it is estimated to be 14 times the total rubble gathered during the conflicts from 2008 until the escalation of violence a year ago and significantly exceeds the debris from the 2016-2017 Battle of Mosul, Iraq.

Such a volume of rubble is staggering; if it were to be stacked, it would reach the height of the Great Pyramid of Giza 11 times. As the situation continues to develop, this amount is expected to grow.

To address this staggering challenge, the U.N. has initiated efforts to collaborate with Gazan authorities in developing a comprehensive debris management strategy. A working group, co-chaired by the U.N. Development Programme (UNDP), is planning pilot projects to start clearing rubble from roadsides in Khan Younis and Deir El-Balah.

“The task before us is considerable,” remarked Alessandro Mrakic, head of the UNDP’s Gaza Office. “We must act swiftly, as this operation will be massive in scale.”

Humanitarian Efforts Amidst Destruction

The current situation in Gaza follows a significant incident on October 7, where Hamas militants launched an attack that resulted in the deaths of approximately 1,200 Israelis and the abduction of over 250 individuals. The response has led to nearly 42,000 Palestinian deaths over the past year, according to local health authorities.

On the ground, the remnants of buildings stretch high above narrow pathways that once bustled with life. Many residents, like taxi driver Yusri Abu Shabab, are taking matters into their own hands out of necessity, clearing debris from their property to erect makeshift shelters.

Satellite data indicates that around two-thirds of Gaza’s pre-war structures—exceeding 163,000 buildings—have been either severely damaged or entirely obliterated. Following previous conflicts, the UNDP managed to clear a mere 3 million tonnes of debris, which only represents 7% of the current rubble pile. According to initial estimates, clearing 10 million tonnes could cost around $280 million, highlighting the vast financial implications of rebuilding.

Hidden Dangers in the Debris

The debris not only poses logistical challenges but also contains potential hazards, including unrecovered bodies and explosive ordnance. Reports suggest that as many as 10,000 bodies may remain unaccounted for beneath the rubble, amplifying the humanitarian crisis. The International Committee of the Red Cross has emphasized the ubiquitous threat posed by unexploded munitions, raising concerns about injuries among civilians.

With an estimated 2.3 million tonnes of rubble potentially contaminated, health officials warn of serious health risks. The World Health Organization has reported a surge in respiratory infections, attributing part of this to dust exposure from the construction debris. Health experts are particularly concerned about long-term health impacts, including increased cancer rates linked to hazardous materials such as asbestos.

Resource Shortages and Future Prospects

Efforts to recycle rubble for practical uses, such as road construction, are being explored, but resource limitations are a growing concern. Gaza is densely populated, with a population of 2.3 million confined to a territory just 45 kilometers long and 10 kilometers wide, complicating waste management solutions.

Critical shortages of land and equipment hinder clearing efforts, with many landfills located in areas restricted by Israeli military regulations. Coordination with Israeli authorities has reportedly improved; however, delays in accessing necessary machinery due to bureaucratic obstacles remain an impediment to recovery efforts.

The U.N. has expressed that while potential partners show interest in aiding recovery, uncertainty about the region’s political future leaves many hesitant to invest in rebuilding initiatives. A U.N. official noted, “There are significant concerns regarding investment in Gaza’s reconstruction without a stable political resolution.” The scale of destruction and the daunting task of recovery present a multifaceted challenge for both local authorities and international organizations moving forward.

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