Gaza Reconstruction Plans Tied to Hamas Disarmament, Economist Reports

A new report by The Economist has revealed that reconstruction plans for the Gaza Strip have stalled, with the international community making their implementation conditional on the disarmament of Palestinian resistance groups, especially Hamas.

According to the report, Israel, backed by the United States and some European countries, is using the rebuilding of war-torn areas in Gaza as leverage to pressure resistance forces. Nations like Egypt and several Arab governments have proposed initiatives for rehabilitation and renovation, but none have been implemented without Israel’s approval.

Meanwhile, over 60 percent of Gaza’s population has been displaced, with hundreds of thousands of homes and critical infrastructure destroyed. The local population continues to live in crisis conditions, lacking access to basic services. United Nations estimates indicate that more than three-quarters of roads have been damaged, and most agricultural lands and water sources have been destroyed.

The Economist also highlighted proposals from current U.S. President Donald Trump and some Israeli investors, including turning Gaza into a coastal tourist zone or establishing tech factories. However, a multi-phase reconstruction plan led by Egypt has garnered the most support among Arab countries.

Under the Egyptian plan, the first phase involves clearing approximately 60 million tons of war debris. The subsequent stages, including housing and service restoration, are expected to take at least 4.5 years and require Israel’s cooperation in issuing permits to transport construction materials through the Rafah crossing—a process that has yet to materialize.

The publication warns that the estimated $53 to $70 billion in funding needed for reconstruction will only be secured if Hamas is disarmed and a lasting ceasefire is achieved. These conditions raise serious concerns about Gaza’s political and geographic future.

Some American and Israeli officials have suggested building temporary shelters for displaced Palestinians on land under Israeli control. This idea, however, has faced strong opposition from Arab states and fears over permanent border changes, drawing parallels to failed resettlement policies in countries such as Afghanistan and Vietnam.