Gaza’s suffering did not begin on Oct. 7, 2023 – it has persisted for over 58 years of occupation, compounded by 17 years of an unlawful blockade and recurring cycles of military offensives and invasions. These conditions have led to widespread structural devastation, de-development, and the systematic deterioration of living conditions — so severe that the United Nations declared Gaza unlivable by 2020. The current war in Gaza has led to an unprecedented level of destruction, with 7 percent of the population killed or injured and 91 percent forcibly displaced within the territory.

The ‘day-after’ plans

It is amazing that Gaza, a tiny territory on the World Map, has had a profound impact on regional peace and stability in the Middle East, prompting numerous organizations and think tanks to propose plans for its future. Unfortunately, the Palestinians have been stripped of their right to determine their future.

Most plans formulated in the United States and Europe prioritize Israel’s control over Gaza while disregarding Palestinian rights to existence and self-determination. The Palestinian people in Gaza insist that the Gaza ‘day-after’ should be led by Palestinians.

The plan to evacuate Gaza under threat and military pressure has failed. On the first day of the ceasefire, 300,000 IDPs returned from South to North Gaza, demonstrating the enduring resilience of Palestinians. The Palestinians, having learned from the 1984 Nakba, understand that temporary displacement can often become permanent.

Other proposals suggest placing Gaza under a United Nations Transitional Authority, but this idea was not accepted by the UN, as the UN Trusteeship System effectively ended in 1994.

It is in the best interest of the Palestinian people that the reconstruction of Gaza is accompanied by a comprehensive reconstruction of the Palestinian political system, ending internal divisions and establishing a central government that governs both Gaza and the West Bank. Unfortunately, the US and Israel have persistently obstructed these efforts. As a result, the Palestinians have agreed to form an independent technical committee under the supervision of the Palestinian government to oversee Gaza’s reconstruction.

The Egyptian-led reconstruction plan

Numerous reconstruction plans have been proposed, including those by the Palestinian Authority, Egypt, and the UAE, as well as several independent organizations.

The Egyptian authorities successfully built national consensus against the displacement of Palestinians from Gaza. Egypt’s private sector, led by Talaat Mustafa Group, proposed a three-year, $27 billion plan involving 50 top construction companies to reconstruct Gaza while ensuring that its people remain in their homeland. Additionally, the Egyptian Syndicate of Engineers established a high-level technical committee and partnered with the Palestinian Syndicate of Engineers to contribute to Gaza’s reconstruction planning and implementation. 

In a later stage, the Egyptian official plan, released on March 4, 2025, was a rapid response to Mr. Trump’s proposal to evacuate Gaza to Sinai, which poses a serious threat to Egypt’s national security. The plan is primarily politically and security-driven, endorsed by Arab leaders, the Palestinian Authority (PA), as well as the UK, France, Germany, Italy, and other international stakeholders.

The key strengths of the plan lie in its regional legitimacy, the diplomatic leverage it offers, and the financial resources available to support its implementation. These factors enhance its potential for success and widespread support. The key weakness is purely technical, as the plan was developed hastily and requires further technical revision.

The key elements of the plan are: 

• No displacement of Palestinians outside Gaza
• Reconstruction is possible while people remain in Gaza
• Multi-phased reconstruction over 5 years
• Free flow of construction materials and heavy equipment
• Foundation for the International Conference
• Maintain Gaza connection with Israel as occupying power
• Expand Gaza’s area for the first time
• Flexible plan, open for negotiation
• The engineering design respects the local context
• Priority for local laborers
• Incorporation of sustainability elements
• Ambitious timeline

The Palestinian position towards the Egypt Plan

The Palestinian Authority endorsed the Egyptian Plan and considered it a Palestinian Plan. As experts in the field, we believe that the plan succeeded in serving its intended purpose of demonstrating that Gaza’s reconstruction is possible without displacing people outside Gaza. However, at the technical level, the plan was developed in a hurry and requires further revision.

To move into action, the war on Gaza must end completely, followed by holding the Gaza Reconstruction International Conference, which the Egyptian Ministry of Foreign Affairs is preparing in cooperation with key stakeholders. The donors’ pledges at the conference will serve as an indicator of their commitment to Gaza’s reconstruction.

The governance of Gaza’s reconstruction is under discussion. The Palestinian Authority has agreed with donors to establish a Trust Fund managed by the World Bank. The implementation will be carried out by an independent technical committee linked to the Palestinian Cabinet.

Lessons learned from past reconstruction efforts in Gaza

Having led Gaza reconstruction efforts in many conflicts, the key lessons learned are:

Absence of a sustainable political solution

Without a sustainable political solution for Gaza’s future, all reconstruction efforts will be in vain, as destruction will recur. Israel must recognize the rights of the people of Gaza to live in peace and prosperity, lift the blockade, and end the occupation.

End of the Palestinian political split

Palestinians must resolve the political division that has negatively affected Gaza and the entire nation. No single Palestinian faction can govern alone. They must learn to embrace each other and develop a unified political agenda aimed at establishing an independent and democratic state.

Decisions on War and Peace

Palestinian factions need to understand that peace is invaluable while war is extremely costly. The decision between war and peace should be institutionalized and made at the national level. War is not a matter to be decided based on the individual interests of certain factions without national consensus.

Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism (GRM)

The Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism (GRM) is a temporary agreement between the Palestinian Government and the Government of Israel, brokered by the UN in September 2014, that granted Israel full control of the construction and reconstruction of Gaza. According to the agreement, Israel has full authority to approve or reject reconstruction projects, as well as the types and quantities of construction materials, and to approve vendors, suppliers, and contractors. Additionally, Israel has the right to approve or deny the list of individuals eligible for housing reconstruction. The GRM significantly delayed Gaza’s reconstruction, which exacerbated people’s suffering. Over time, all key actors, including donors, recognized that using the GRM made Gaza’s reconstruction impossible, therefore, the PA should not accept renewing the GRM agreement.

Institutionalizing reconstruction

As Gaza has been subjected to a series of assaults, which unfortunately may continue with the Israeli occupation and political stalemate, it is vital to create a sustainable local institution to lead interventions during the preparedness, response, early recovery, and reconstruction phases. This national entity should be formed and managed based on technical considerations, avoiding intra-Palestinian political agendas that may hinder its work.

Nonetheless, in the absence of a unified government and with the continuation of the political split among Palestinians, the Palestinian civil society organizations and private sector institutions shall be empowered to play a role in the reconstruction efforts. Donors, PA, and the de facto authorities should accept the role of civil society and private sector organizations.

Participation and local ownership

To enhance local ownership, key non-governmental actors such as prominent civil society organizations and private sector institutions should participate actively in the reconstruction efforts within sustainable governance and not on an ad hoc basis.

Engagement of local communities

Grassroots organizations have better and faster access to local communities than the government. Creating local community emergency committees is essential. These committees should receive training and be empowered.

Opportunity for replanning

The Urban Master Plan of the Gaza Strip is outdated, and without proper law enforcement, the municipality cannot enforce building codes, resulting in chaotic urban settings. The huge devastation suffered by infrastructure and buildings provides an opportunity for modern urban planning, catering to people’s needs.

Building forward better

The reconstruction of Gaza should embrace the principle of ’building forward better’, focusing on post-crisis recovery to enhance resilience and sustainability. This involves integrating lessons learned to sustain infrastructure, systems, and communities against future shocks, promoting inclusivity, and ensuring recovery efforts support long-term sustainable development.

Thousands of homes in Gaza are classified as substandard, made of temporary structures in slum areas. Reconstruction should aim to improve these destroyed houses

Capacity of local contractors

The devastation in Gaza is immense, and reconstruction exceeds the capacity of local contractors who, despite their technical expertise, lack the necessary heavy equipment and financial resources. To expedite the process, it is essential to involve regional and international construction companies.

With Israel renewing its offensive on Gaza, reconstruction appears a long way off, however, lessons must be learned from the recent past, if reconstruction plans are to be successful. 

Mamoun Besaiso is a senior advisor to the UN and the European Union, specializing in conflict-affected areas across the MENA region. In Palestine, he served as the Head of the National Team for Gaza Reconstruction under the Palestinian government. In addition, he assumed a leading role in the reconstruction efforts following the wars of 2008, 2012, 2014, and 2021. Currently, he provides consultancy services to various international agencies on early recovery and reconstruction in Gaza, Libya and Iraq. He is also a keynote speaker at numerous conferences and has contributed to the development of policy papers on reconstruction and recovery.