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The estimated cost to implement the reconstruction plan for the Gaza Strip, which was presented by Egypt and endorsed by the Arab leaders’ summit in Cairo on Tuesday, is $53 billion.

This staggering figure – if someone earned $1 million per day, it would take them 145 years to accumulate $53 billion – reflects a comprehensive assessment of Gaza’s reconstruction and rehabilitation needs, as outlined in the Interim Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (IRDNA) report from February 2025.

The report, jointly developed by the World Bank, the European Union and the United Nations, provides a sobering yet essential assessment of the devastation suffered by the Palestinian enclave. The numbers are striking: $29.9 billion in physical damage and $19.1 billion in economic and social losses. The most severely impacted sectors include housing, commerce, industry, transportation, water, sanitation and hygiene. These figures are crucial for understanding both the magnitude of the damage and the urgent need for large-scale reconstruction.

The methodology used to derive this estimate relies on a rigorous, multi-faceted approach, incorporating both on-the-ground data and satellite imagery, among other sources. The main objective is to provide a solid foundation to plan the reconstruction process, with an emphasis on identifying priority sectors such as housing, healthcare, education and essential infrastructure. This document serves as a reference to guide decisions regarding financing and the implementation of reconstruction projects, while deliberately avoiding any political or geopolitical considerations tied to the ongoing conflict.

Who Will Fund This?

The issue of financing remains central to the proposal put forward by Egypt. The $53 billion amount is not only intended to cover direct costs of physical reconstruction but also aims to stimulate the region’s economic and social recovery. To fund this colossal plan, Egypt proposes the establishment of an internationally supervised fund. The goal of this fund would be to ensure “the effectiveness and sustainability of financing” as well as to maintain “the transparency and oversight” necessary to ensure the success of the initiative.

Cairo is also planning to host a high-level ministerial conference bringing together donor countries, international and regional financial institutions, the private sector and civil society to mobilize the necessary funds. According to Al-Qahera News, a media outlet close to the authorities, the Arab summit has expressed support for such a conference, which could take place as early as March.