Reconstruction as a Lever for Sustainable Development in Gaza: Between Reality and Prospects for Recovery After the 7 October 2023 War

Abstract

The 2023 conflict in the Gaza Strip resulted in unparalleled human, material, and structural damage, valued at approximately USD 18.5 billion, equivalent to almost a full year of Palestinian GDP. Beyond the extent of physical devastation, the hostilities revealed the profound vulnerability of Gaza’s economy, public systems, and communal structure, and severely aggravated hardship, joblessness, and involuntary movement. This analysis explores how post-2023 rebuilding can surpass a brief humanitarian reaction to become a strategic instrument for enduring progress in Gaza. Employing a descriptive–analytical and specific-example method, the research utilizes recent evaluations by the World Bank, the UN, and ESCWA (2024–2025) to chart the extent and sectoral nature of the harm, pinpoint major organizational, fiscal, and political barriers, and dissect the connections between rebuilding and the economic, societal, and ecological foundations of permanence. The paper suggests a conceptual model that regards reconstruction as an evolving procedure rooted in “build back superior” tenets, strong local administration, and alignment with the 2030 Agenda. It then details a policy plan for 2025–2035 connecting accommodation, essential structures, earning potential, welfare provisions, rubble handling, and clean power into a unified national blueprint. The paper finishes by asserting that progress in Gaza will only serve as a true impetus for lasting development if it revitalizes populations, the marketplace, and organizations concurrently, under a domestically controlled structure that harmonizes emergency assistance with protracted structural changes.