Gaza's Rebuilding Efforts: A Long Road Ahead, Warns UN Official

The road to recovery in Gaza will be lengthy and challenging, despite an influx of humanitarian aid following a recent ceasefire agreement, according to a senior UN official.

The devastation in Gaza post-conflict will demanding a significant amount of time for recovery, a UN representative has cautioned. Sam Rose, acting director of the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) in Gaza, emphasized that the rebuilding efforts go beyond just infrastructure and encompass the emotional and physical rehabilitation of the people affected.

Since the ceasefire and hostage negotiations between Israel and Hamas began on Sunday, over 1,500 aid trucks have entered Gaza, delivering supplies that had been pending for months, including food, blankets, and clothing necessary for the approaching winter. This ceasefire agreement demands a daily allowance of 600 lorries, with 50 designated for fuel, for six weeks, during which Hamas is expected to release 33 Israeli hostages in return for the release of hundreds of Palestinian detainees in Israel.

Mr. Rose noted the operational ease in facilitating aid deliveries following the cessation of hostilities, stating, "We’re no longer moving through an active conflict zone or needing to coordinate with Israeli authorities." However, he underscored that the humanitarian needs in Gaza transcend mere quantities of aid. "Every individual in Gaza has experienced trauma or loss. The destruction is widespread, complicating the recovery process," he remarked.

Hanan Balkhy, regional director of the World Health Organization, revealed a 60-day strategy to revive Gaza’s health services, which includes restoring half of the hospitals that are either entirely inoperable or only partially functional, along with establishing immediate medical services in severely impacted areas.

United Nations Humanitarian Chief Tom Fletcher highlighted the dire humanitarian state in Gaza, describing the needs as "staggering." Contributing to the crisis are restrictions imposed by Israeli forces on aid flows, alongside persistent conflict and instability. Israel has countered these claims, stating there are no cap restrictions on aid supplies and attributing the delivery issues to UN agencies' inefficiencies.

The conflict, ignited by a cross-border offensive on October 7, has led to significant loss of life with over 47,000 fatalities reported and 111,000 injuries as indicated by Gaza's Hamas-run health ministry. Additionally, widespread displacement has left most of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents affected, with estimates suggesting that 60% of structures have been damaged or demolished.

An October report from the UN's Integrated Food Security Phase Classification revealed alarming figures, indicating 1.84 million people in Gaza were experiencing acute food insecurity, with 133,000 facing catastrophic conditions that could lead to famine.

The aftermath of the ceasefire has brought some back to their homes in devastated regions. A resident from northern Gaza, returning to her wrecked house, expressed disbelief at the destruction. "It looked like an earthquake hit. I refuse to leave my land again," proclaimed Manal Abu al-Dragham.

While UNRWA teams stationed in southern Gaza await access to northern territories hindered by ongoing military obstructions, looming Israeli legislations threaten to restrict their operational capabilities. The Israeli parliament has enacted laws that could limit UNRWA’s actions, accusing the agency of associations with Hamas, which UNRWA strenuously denies. The agency’s perseverance in humanitarian efforts persists as they remain committed to aiding the population, even amid rising risks.