https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8126-1231
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ABSTRACT
This paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the reconstruction efforts in the Gaza Strip following the 2021 and 2022 wars, placing these efforts in the context of previous reconstruction experiences after the 2008/09, 2012, and 2014 conflicts. Employing a mixed-methods approach that includes interviews, primary data analysis, and policy document reviews, the study uncovers the dynamics and challenges shaping the recent reconstruction processes. A key finding of this research is the marked slowdown and ineffectiveness of the post-2021 reconstruction, contrasting with earlier efforts. Unlike previous rounds where material flow restrictions due to the blockade were the predominant hindrance, the study identifies a critical shift in the recent context: a significant lack of funds emerged as the primary obstacle. This change reflects evolving political, economic, and security landscapes in the region, including donor fatigue and shifting international priorities. The paper explores continuities and discontinuities in the factors influencing reconstruction outcomes in Gaza, offering a nuanced understanding of how the changing context has impacted rebuilding efforts. It examines the implications of these findings for future reconstruction initiatives in Gaza and similar conflict-affected regions, providing insights into the complex interplay of financial, political, and logistical challenges in post-conflict reconstruction.
Disclosure statement
No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).
Notes
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28. Self-cite; Qarmout, ‘The Hamas Government Involvement’, 65–80.
29. Schanzer, ‘Gaza Conflict 2021’; Flamer, ‘Offsetting the Offset’.
30. Self-cite; Qarmout, ‘The Hamas Government Involvement’, 65–80.
31. Zureik, ‘Qatar’s Humanitarian Aid’.
32. Qarmout, ‘The Hamas Government Involvement’, 65–80.
33. Brown, ‘Reconstruction of Infrastructure’, 750775; Rathmell, ‘Planning Post-Conflict Reconstruction’, 1013–1038; Lacher, ‘Iraq’, 237–250.
34. El-Masri and Kellett, ‘Post-War Reconstruction’, 535–557; Dibeh, ‘The Political Economy’.
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38. Filiu, Gaza.
39. UN OCHA, ‘Gaza Strip’.
40. Buchan, ‘The Palmer Report’, 264–273.
41. UNCTAD, ‘Palestinian Economy Reels’.
42. UNCTAD, ‘Israeli Occupation Cost Gaza’.
43. PCBS, ‘The Performance’; PCBS, ‘Per Capita GDP’.
44. Al-Mezan, ‘1 Year after’.
45. Bachelet, ‘Occupied Palestinian Territory’.
46. MOH, ‘Infographic of the Israeli’.
47. Shelter Cluster, ‘Shelter Statistics’.
48. Ibid.
49. Shelter Cluster, ‘One Year after Escalation’.
50. World Bank Group et al., ‘Gaza Rapid Damage’.
51. Ibid.
52. Ibid.
53. Ibid.
54. MPWH, ‘Priority in Misr Residential’.
55. Shelter Cluster, ‘Shelter Statistics’.
56. OCHA, ‘Humanitarian Impact in Gaza’.
57. Presidency Office, ‘President El-Sisi Pledges’.
58. Abu Zaid, ‘Egypt Announces Gaza’.
59. Ibid.
60. Aziz, ‘Egypt, Israel, and Hamas’.
61. Ibid.
62. MPWH, ‘Priority in Misr Residential’.
63. Sarhan, ‘Press Conference’.
64. Hussaini, ‘One Year from Israel’s’.
65. MPWH, ‘Continuation of Work’.
66. MPWH, ‘Priority in Misr Residential’.
67. MPWH, ‘Continuation of Work’.
68. OCHA, ‘Humanitarian Impact in Gaza’.
69. Shelter Cluster, ‘One Year after Escalation’.
70. Aboud, ‘An Interview with Almamlka’.
71. Shelter Cluster, ‘Shelter Statistics’.
72. Shelter Cluster, ‘One Year after Escalation’.
73. Aboud, ‘An Interview with Almamlka’.
74. Sarhan, ‘Press Conference’.
75. Ibid.
76. Ibid.
77. Interview with O. Shaban, Founder and Director of the PalThink, Via Zoom, October 2022.
78. Shelter Cluster, ‘Shelter Statistics’.
79. Ibid.
80. Ibid.
81. Bar’el, ‘Operation Guardian’.
82. Ibid.
83. Osmo, ‘Egypt Has Re-established Itself’.
84. Aziz, ‘Egypt, Israel, and Hamas’.
85. Ibid.
86. Interview with O. Shaban, Founder and Director of the PalThink, Via Zoom, October 2022.
87. MPWH, ‘The Ministry Reveals’.
88. Ibid.
89. Interview with M. Al-Ejla, Economist Researcher, Zoom, October 2022.
90. Bar’el, ‘Operation Guardian’.
91. Interview with O. Shaban, Founder and Director of the PalThink, Via Zoom, October 2022.
92. Crisis Group, ‘The Israeli Government’s Old-New Palestine’.
93. Ibid.
94. Abu Watfa, ‘Hamas’ Financial Crisis Worsens’.
95. Almunasseq, ‘Important Statement’.
96. Mahmoud, ‘Israel Links Fate’.
97. Almunasseq, ‘Important Statement’.
98. Eichner, ‘Lapid Outlines Long-Term Vision’.
99. Prime Minister’s Office, ‘PM Yair Lapid’s Remarks’.
100. Interview with S. Taha, Director of RAI Consulting, Zoom, October 2022.
101. Harel, ‘Israel Can Blame Hamas’.
102. Interview with N. Sarhan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Gaza, Zoom, October 2022.
103. Barakat and Masri, ‘Still in Ruins: Reviving’.
104. Self-cite.
105. Jebril and Deakin, ‘The Political Economy’.
106. Gisha, ‘Crossings Update: Ban’.
107. Interview with O. Shaban, Founder and Director of the PalThink, Via Zoom, October 2022.
108. Interview with S. Taha, Director of RAI Consulting, Zoom, October 2022.
109. Interview with O. Shaban, Founder and Director of the PalThink, Via Zoom, October 2022.
110. Gisha, ‘Red Lines, Gray Lists’.
111. Interview with S. Taha, Director of RAI Consulting, Zoom, October 2022.
112. Gisha, ‘Red Lines, Gray Lists’.
113. Gisha, ‘Crossings Update’.
114. Ibid; Gisha, ‘Gaza Policy Forum Summary’.
115. Office of the Quartet, ‘Report to the Ad Hoc’.
116. Interview with S. Taha, Director of RAI Consulting, Zoom, October 2022.
117. Interview with M. Al-Ejla, Economist Researcher, Zoom, October 2022.
118. Qarmout, ‘The Hamas Government Involvement’.
119. Ibid.
120. Zanotti, ‘The Palestinian Background’, 1–55.
121. Ibid.
122. Renshaw et al., ‘Biden Hails Ceasefire’.
123. Eiland, ‘Rolling from Round’.
124. France24, ‘Rebuild or Resist?’.
125. Alarab, ‘Hamas Disrupts Cairo’s Plan’.
126. Interview with N. Sarhan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Gaza, Zoom, October 2022.
127. Alswerky, ‘Egyptian Committee Launches’.
128. MPWH, ‘Brief Report of Reconstruction’.
129. Sarhan, ‘Press Conference’.
130. Aboud, ‘An Interview with Almamlka’.
131. Bar’el, ‘Operation Guardian’.
132. Al-Monitor Staff, ‘A look at Which’.
133. OCHA, ‘Response … Report No. 9’; OCHA, ‘Response … Report No. 10’.
134. Wildeman and Tartir, ‘Political Economy’, 223–247.
135. Taghdisi-Rad, The Political Economy.
136. Turner, ‘“Aid Intervention”’, 283–288.
137. Lis, ‘In a Shift’.
138. Abu-Jahal, ‘Israeli Goodwill Gestures Fail’.
139. Fanack, ‘Qatar’s Role’.
140. OCHA, ‘Response … Report No. 9’.
141. France24, ‘Rebuild or resist?’; Abu-Amer, ‘Egypt, Qatar Agreement’.
142. Abu Aisha, ‘Gaza Reconstruction’.
143. Hussaini, ‘One Year from Israel’s’.
144. Al-Ejla, ‘Reconstruction in the Gaza’.
145. Interview with N. Sarhan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Gaza, Zoom, October 2022.
146. Sarhan, ‘Press Conference’.
147. Guzansky and Winter, ‘Does Qatar’s Return’, 1–5.
148. World Bank, ‘Reconstructing Gaza’.
149. UNRWA, ‘Donor Charts’.
150. Interview with N. Sarhan, Undersecretary of the Ministry of Public Works and Housing in Gaza, Zoom, October 2022.
151. Abu Watfa, ‘Hamas’ Financial Crisis Worsens’.
152. World Bank, ‘Reconstructing Gaza: Donor Pledges’.
153. MOFA, ‘HH the Amir Directs’.
154. Sarhan, ‘Press Conference’.
155. Farzan, ‘Who Will Rebuild the Gaza’; Atrache, ‘Double Quarantine in Gaza’.
156. Interview with M. Al-Ejla, Economist Researcher, Zoom, October 2022.
157. Barakat and Masri, ‘Still in Ruins’.
158. Kerry, ‘Remarks at the Gaza’.
159. Interview. Nour Habib. Head of projects section for Palestinian Fund for Employment and Social Protection. Via Zoom. October 2022.
160. Turner, ‘“Aid Intervention”’, 283–288.
161. Gomrat et al., ‘What Role Should Southern’.
162. OCHA, ‘19 Million More People’.
163. Development Initiatives, ‘Global Humanitarian Assistance Report’.
164. McCarthy, ‘The Countries Donating’.
165. Guenette, ‘Equitable Growth, Finance’.
166. IFW, ‘Ukraine Support Tracker’.
167. Canuto, ‘Policy Brief’.
168. IMF, ‘World Economic Outlook’.
169. Khalil, ‘Gaza: Reconstruction Efforts Hit’.
170. Ibid.
171. MPWH, ‘Priority in Misr Residential’.
172. Abu-Qamar, ‘Sarhan: Reconstruction’.
173. Khalil, ‘Gaza’.
174. Mousa, ‘Contracting Companies Face Bankruptcy’.
175. Khalil, ‘Gaza’; Mousa, ‘Contracting Companies Face Bankruptcy’.
176. Sarhan, ‘Press Conference’.
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Notes on contributors
Sansom Milton
Sansom Milton is a Senior Research Fellow at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies and an Adjunct Assistant Professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.
Ghassan Elkahlout
Ghassan Elkahlout is the Director of the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies and an Associate Professor at the Doha Institute for Graduate Studies.
Saba Attallah
Saba Attallah is a Research Assistant Intern at the Center for Conflict and Humanitarian Studies.