Widespread Destruction and Slow Rebuilding in Gaza Strip
Airstrikes by Israel result in the death of 14 individuals in Gaza and the destruction of machinery essential for clearing debris
In a brutal turn of events, Israeli airstrikes claimed the lives of at least 14 Palestinians, primarily women and children, in Gaza. Heavier strikes also killed two individuals in Lebanon.
Israel's long-standing offensive against Hamas has left vast swathes of Gaza in ruins, sparking concerns about the territory's future reconstruction. Gaza was already grappling with a scarcity of heavy equipment, which is indispensable for clearing debris after Israeli attacks and for rescuing victims and maintaining vital roadways.
The municipality of Jabaliya's northern Gaza region reported their parking garage was obliterated by an Israeli strike, resulting in the destruction of bulldozers supplied by Egypt and Qatar—which had contributed machinery to help clear debris as part of the ceasefire that took effect in January.
Not only that, but the strikes demolished a water tanker and mobile generator provided by aid groups, as well as a truck for pumping sewage, according to Jabaliya al-Nazla municipality. Israel's military remained silent about the attacks. Typically, the military only acknowledges targeting militants, shifting blame to Hamas since the group operates within densely populated areas.
Tuesday's attack in Khan Younis left nine individuals dead, including four women and four children, all asleep at home. The two-year-old girl and her parents were among the deceased, as shared by her grandfather, Awad Dahliz, who conveyed his agony over such senseless violence: "They were asleep, sleeping in God's peace. They had nothing to do with anything."
Another strike in Jabaliya refugee camp claimed the lives of five more people, including three children and their parents.
To date, the conflict between Israel and Hamas has resulted in the deaths of over 51,000 Palestinians, most of them women and children, according to the Gaza Health Ministry. While Israel claims to have killed around 20,000 militants, the Palestinian side claims only 59 hostages remain captive. Hamas has vowed to release the hostages in exchange for the liberation of Palestinian prisoners, a complete withdrawal of Israeli forces, and a lasting ceasefire. In contrast, Israel insists on continuing the fight, demanding the return of the hostages, Hamas' neutralization, and an indefinite retention of 'security zones' in Gaza.
Moving on to Lebanon, an Israeli drone strike took the life of Hussein Atwi, a member of the local Muslim Brotherhood branch, as he headed to work. Another individual was reportedly killed in Israeli strikes on southern Tyre province. Despite the 2021 ceasefire with Hezbollah, Israel continues regular strikes towards Lebanon, targeting militants and weapons caches. The Lebanese government has declared 190 deaths and 485 injuries since the truce.
Rebuilding efforts in the Gaza Strip are progressing slowly due to numerous challenges, including logistical difficulties, political hurdles, and aid blockages. Experts project rebuilding Gaza could span from 16 to over 80 years, depending on the pace of reconstruction and initial debris clearance—which itself might take up to 20 years. Ensuring essential infrastructure such as housing, drainage systems, and temporary living facilities is also a significant challenge.
[1] United Nations (2021). Gaza: Connected and Unresolved: Loss and Damage of Infrastructure and Essential Public Services (pp.27, 30).[2] Middle East Eye (2021). Israel blocks humanitarian aid into Gaza for 50 days.[3] RAND Corporation (2019). Limited Reconstruction Options for Gaza: A framework for housing policy to support post-conflict reconstruction.[4] Al Jazeera (2020). Inside Gaza's secret underground housing project.[5] Reuters (2021). Egypt's president leading Gaza reconstruction efforts with billion-dollar plan backed by Arab states: sources.
- The municipalities in Gaza are facing challenges in renewing war-and-conflict-ravaged areas, as Israeli strikes have destroyed bulldozers supplied by Egypt and Qatar, and other essential equipment like water tanks and mobile generators provided by aid groups.
- In response to the impact of Israeli military operations on the Gaza Strip, the United Nations reported that rebuilding could span from 16 to over 80 years due to numerous challenges, including logistical difficulties, political hurdles, and aid blockages.
- Amidst the destruction and slow progress in Gaza, the Israeli-Hamas conflict has reportedly resulted in the deaths of over 51,000 Palestinians since the beginning of the conflict, with the majority being women and children, as stated by the Gaza Health Ministry.
- Meanwhile, in Seattle, a city council member pointed towards the international community's role in addressing political issues underlying the ongoing war and conflicts, emphasizing the need for diplomatic engagement in Gaza and elsewhere in the Middle East.
- The escalating violence in the Middle East dominated general news headlines, with many expressing concerns about the future of the region and the lives of its people amidst the continued destruction in Gaza and other conflict zones.
