UN: Gaza rubble removal could take 7 years, 90% live in hazardous conditions

2026-02-17 - 20:22

United Nations Development Program chief Alexander De Croo delivered a stark assessment Tuesday of conditions in Gaza, warning that clearing the territory's war rubble could consume seven years at current capacity while 90% of residents continue living amid hazardous debris. Briefing virtually from Jerusalem after visiting Gaza, De Croo described the humanitarian situation as "the worst living conditions that I have ever seen, extremely painful conditions to live in." Debris, Housing, and Economic Crises De Croo outlined UNDP's three priority recovery areas, noting debris and solid waste removal remains critically underfunded with only 0.5% completed. "At the current pace, it will take us seven years to remove all the rubble," he stated, calling for enhanced authority and capacity to accelerate removal and recycling. Temporary housing constitutes the second priority, with De Croo observing that 90% of Gazans inhabit "very, very rudimentary tents" rather than proper shelters. UNDP has constructed 500 recovery housing units with 4,000 ready, but needs range between 200,000-300,000 units "to give people a better living." The third priority involves restarting Gaza's hibernating private sector through limited investment and cash-for-work schemes. Call for Unrestricted Access De Croo appealed directly to Israeli authorities for "more access" to import materials, housing units, and support private business recovery, arguing security concerns should not impede UN and international NGO operations. The appeal comes amid a US-backed ceasefire in effect since October 10, which halted Israel's two-year war that has killed over 72,000 Palestinians, mostly women and children, and injured more than 171,000 since October 2023. Despite the ceasefire, Gaza's Health Ministry reports Israeli forces have committed hundreds of violations through shelling and gunfire, killing 603 Palestinians and injuring 1,618 others.