Reconstructing the Gaza Strip, which was devastated by the Israeli occupation's aggression on the Strip, requires more than $53 billion, including more than $20 billion in the first three years, a United Nations report released on Tuesday said.

UN Secretary-General António Guterres stated in the report, which was prepared at the request of the UN General Assembly on January 30, 2025, that “the amounts needed for recovery and reconstruction in the short, medium and long term are estimated at approximately $53.142 billion, of which $20.568 billion is needed in the first three years.”

The General Assembly had issued a resolution in December 2024 calling for an immediate and unconditional ceasefire in Gaza, and asked Guterres to provide an assessment of the needs of the Palestinian sector within two months.

The report explained that although it is not possible to conduct a full needs assessment, the rapid assessment provides an indication of the extent of needs in the context of recovery and reconstruction.

The report indicated that more than 60% of the housing in Gaza has been destroyed since October 2023, which makes the housing sector at the forefront of reconstruction needs at $15.2 billion, or about 30% of the total amount.

Other areas requiring financing include trade and industry ($6.9 billion), health ($6.9 billion), agriculture ($4.2 billion), social protection ($4.2 billion), transport ($2.9 billion), water and sanitation ($2.7 billion), and education ($2.6 billion).

The report indicated that the environmental sector will face high costs, estimated at about $1.9 billion, due to the large amount of rubble containing unexploded ordnance and other hazardous materials.

The United Nations estimates that the conflict has left more than 50 million tons of rubble, including human remains and hazardous materials such as asbestos.

Guterres also stressed that any reconstruction effort must be part of a broader political and security framework to be viable, stressing that Gaza must be an integral part of an independent, democratic, viable and sovereign Palestinian state.

He stressed the importance of the role of the Palestinian Authority in planning and implementing the recovery and reconstruction process.

The report comes as US President Donald Trump prepares to announce plans to take control of Gaza and redevelop it, sparking a backlash from Palestinians.