The blockade, economic hardship and repeated military attacks have left Gaza in a state of perpetual crisis. The ongoing war has worsened this crisis, causing severe and potentially irreversible damage to the environment, public health systems and infrastructure. The war has led to soil contamination and the destruction of agricultural lands, the collapse of essential water and sanitation services and air pollution from toxic emissions. An international environmental fact-finding committee is needed to assess the damage and lay the basis for environmental restoration and long-term recovery. Key priorities include a ceasefire, rehabilitating critical infrastructure, guaranteeing food and water security, and restoring environmental health and public health care, while ensuring community participation throughout.

Israel’s war on Gaza since October 7, 2023, has caused severe human, economic, and social devastation. Reconstruction efforts need to address past failures and current unprecedent challenges. Previous reconstruction efforts have been top-down and ignored Israel’s blockade and occupation. Gazan knowledge and ownership have been excluded, the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism allowed for control by Israel and normalization of the blockade. Major funding gaps also hindered reconstruction. Reconstruction amid the ongoing war has to speak to unprecedented challenges. A strategy should encompass a multi-dimensional approach addressing political, economic, and societal needs, local ownership and inclusion, aligning micro and macro-level planning, and promoting food security and sustainable agriculture.

This analysis emphasises that resolving the Palestinian political division is crucial for achieving economic reunification between the West Bank and Gaza. A unified political system is essential for fostering economic growth and integration, as the division hampers progress. Strategic interventions are needed to address the economic deterioration in both regions. These include legal, financial and private sector strategies, alongside engaging the Palestinian diaspora and ensuring geographical and commercial interconnection. The author highlights the mutual benefits of economic unity, stressing the importance of utilising resources from both the West Bank and Gaza to revive their economies through a large-scale national project.

The ongoing conflict in Gaza is causing extensive damage to infrastructure and exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. Reconstruction requires an understanding of the local context, immediate needs and long-term priorities. Immediate humanitarian needs must be prioritized. A final needs assessment is possible after the conflict ends, led by UN agencies with the support of local and international stakeholders. Reconstruction efforts should pave the way for a more resilient and prosperous Gaza through infrastructure rehabilitation, economic revitalization, social cohesion, and leveraging community-based approaches and international partnerships.

The former equilibrium between Israel and the Palestinians, maintained through tactical management and periodic hostilities, proved inadequate after 7 October. A shift is needed towards earnest pursuit of a two-state solution to prevent worse outcomes. Significant political changes are needed post-7 October to achieve long-term stability and a two-state solution. They include establishing a technocratic, non-factional Palestinian government, holding general elections, and creating a robust system of checks and balances. The lack of a unified Palestinian strategy is a major obstacle to peace. A coordinated effort involving regional and international actors is crucial to foster internal Palestinian reconciliation and ensure long-term regional stability.

Even before the 2023/24 war, Gaza was described as uninhabitable. Conditions are worsening during the conflict, heightening public health risks. Women face severe challenges leading to community tensions and social issues. To mitigate all this, international actors must push for a ceasefire, expand humanitarian aid, and support Palestinian women-led organizations. Comprehensive recovery efforts should focus on equity, community engagement, education and psychosocial support. Hope, driven by the resilience of Gaza's women, is essential for rebuilding efforts, necessitating further research to understand social impacts and develop effective recovery models.

The education system in Gaza has been devastated, especially since 2023. Schools have been used as shelters, with many damaged or destroyed, leaving students without education for almost a year. Rebuilding Gaza's education system demands a multifaceted approach, focusing on infrastructure, psychological support, digital learning, curriculum reform and teacher training. Sustainable solutions should prioritize not just physical rebuilding but also student well-being, inclusive education and the integration of technology. A comprehensive education recovery plan is vital to create a resilient system that supports Gaza's future development.

Without a sustainable political and Israeli-Palestinian arrangement and Palestinian unity, reconstruction efforts in Gaza will be futile, as conflict and destruction are likely to recur. A national-level, non-political institution is needed to lead and manage disaster-response and reconstruction efforts, with active involvement from civil society and local communities. The current Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism, de facto controlled by Israel, delays rebuilding. A new, more efficient system is needed to ensure rapid reconstruction and sustainable urban planning.