Mustafa Discusses with the UN, World Bank, and EU the Results of the Updated Report on Damage Assessment and Needs in the Gaza Strip

SadaNews - Today, Thursday, Prime Minister Dr. Mohammad Mustafa met at his office in Ramallah with the World Bank representative in Palestine, Stefan Emblard, the UN Resident Coordinator and Humanitarian Coordinator, Ramiz Al-Akbrow, and the EU representative Alexander Stutzman, in the presence of Finance Minister Estefan Salama.

The meeting focused on reviewing and discussing the updated international report on the rapid assessment of damage and needs in the Gaza Strip (RDNA).

In this regard, the Prime Minister welcomed the efforts made to update the damage report months after the cessation of hostilities, appreciating the existing cooperation between international institutions and Palestinian organizations, and emphasizing that this report constitutes an important basis for coordinating recovery and reconstruction efforts, and unifying international interventions to meet the needs of our people in the Gaza Strip.

Mustafa reiterated that the Gaza Strip is an integral part of the Palestinian state, affirming the government's readiness to work with partners to ensure the implementation of the recovery and reconstruction process, stressing the need for various international interventions to support Palestinian government efforts and enhance the capacity of national institutions to manage the recovery and reconstruction phase.

He also emphasized the importance of launching the first phase of early recovery, accelerating the implementation of urgent interventions related to temporary shelter, restoring basic services, and supporting the health sector and food security, in a manner that contributes to alleviating the suffering of citizens in the Gaza Strip.

The international report revealed that the total damages and losses resulting from the war on the Gaza Strip exceeded $75 billion.

The joint report issued by the World Bank, UN, and EU indicated that the prolonged war from October 2023 to October 2025 caused unprecedented destruction to infrastructure and vital sectors, alongside a catastrophic humanitarian crisis that affected various aspects of life in the Gaza Strip.

According to the report, the value of direct damages to the infrastructure reached approximately $35.2 billion, while the economic losses amounted to about $22.7 billion.

The report pointed out that the housing sector topped the list of the most affected sectors, with damages amounting to approximately $18 billion, followed by the trade and industry sector with total damages and losses estimated at around $9 billion, then the transportation sector with damages of $3.21 billion, and the water and sanitation sector at approximately $1.70 billion. The health sector recorded the largest economic losses of about $6.78 billion, along with direct damages of $1.39 billion.

The report clarified that the housing sector needs financing estimated at $16.2 billion, followed by the agriculture and food security sector with $10.5 billion, then the health sector with $10 billion, and the trade and industry sector with $9 billion, representing about 64% of the total reconstruction needs.

It added that more than 1.9 million Palestinians experienced internal displacement, while about 60% of Gaza's residents lost their homes amidst a sharp deterioration in essential services and a worsening humanitarian crisis.

The report confirmed that the urgent needs during the first months of the recovery phase are estimated at about $10.8 billion, while long-term reconstruction processes will require more than $45 billion over the next five years.

The report stressed that the success of recovery and reconstruction efforts requires extensive international coordination, provision of urgent and sustainable financing, alongside clear delineation of roles between various international and national entities, ensuring the rebuilding of the Gaza Strip and the restoration of its livability.