Oxfam: 71 billion is needed to rebuild Gaza. And the Palestinians must be in charge

‘The progress made over the last 20 years is clear to see. The cost of reconstruction following the wars of 2008–09, 2014 and 2021 totalled 10 billion dollars (at current values), but every plan has been stifled and rendered futile by Israel’s unrelenting blockade, the lack of donors and the succession of military offensives: ‘Those who were hoping to return home after the 2014 offensive, for example, saw everything go up in smoke under the bombs of the latest war,’ continues Pezzati.

To prevent the same mistakes from being repeated, the role of third countries and the international community – and the pressure they exert on Israel, both within and outside the Board of Peace – will therefore be crucial.

“For this reason, with the campaign ©Palestine, all rights reserved”, Pezzati continues “we strongly call on the Italian Government to change its policy stance, including at European level, in support of a truly inclusive reconstruction process, extended to the areas affected by the conflict in the West Bank and East Jerusalem.”

An appeal that anyone can support by joining the campaign on the Oxfam website.

According to the estimates contained in the report – based on data from the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank – Gaza has suffered damage and economic losses totalling 57.9 billion dollars. However, it will be necessary to allocate more than 71 to support its recovery and reconstruction over the next 10 years.

In less than three years, 73,000 Palestinians have been killed, 173,000 have been injured, and just under 2 million people have been repeatedly displaced .

The latest reported casualties are two Palestinians – killed – and several others wounded in an Israeli air raid on the north of the Gaza Strip. This was reported by the Wafa news agency, citing medical sources at Al-Shifa Hospital in Gaza City, who said they had received victims struck by the IDF raid which took place near the Yemen al-Saeed Hospital in the Jabalia refugee camp.

In September 2025, the United Nations Independent International Commission of Inquiry concluded that Israel had committed genocide in Gaza.

“These figures paint a picture that is not simply a matter of fate,” says the Oxfam spokesperson.

Un parente trasporta la salma di un membro della famiglia al-Masri, nel giorno del funerale di sei membri della famiglia rimasti uccisi in seguito a un attacco israeliano che ha colpito il loro appartamento, secondo quanto riferito dal Ministero della Salute, a Gaza City, il 21 luglio 2026. REUTERS/Dawoud Abu Alkas

‘It is Israel’s illegal occupation and blockade, together with the impunity it enjoys, that produce the same result, war after war. States, including Italia, which have armed Israel or directly or indirectly covered up its destruction of Gaza, bear specific responsibilities and must contribute to repairing the damage. Finally, the report shows that the costs are not merely economic, because this war has wiped out what no damage assessment can quantify: the education and cultural systems, and public services at every level. Furthermore, it has polluted the environment and shattered all community ties and the social fabric,” concludes Pezzati.

A report published on the day that Itamar Ben Gvir, the far-right Israeli Minister for National Security – the same man as in video showing the harassment of Flotilla activists – led hundreds of Jews into the Al-Aqsa Mosque compound in Jerusalem, breaching the decades-old status quo of the site.

Footage from AFP showed Ben Gvir and hundreds of other worshippers at the Al-Aqsa compound, including Israeli settlers who had been queuing since the early hours of the morning to enter the site. Many Jews also recited prayers on the Temple Mount.

The visit coincided with Tisha B’Av, the Jewish day of fasting commemorating the destruction of the First and Second Temples. This year it is observed from Wednesday night through to Thursday, with Jews fasting for around 25 hours. In addition to the destruction of the Temples, the day is traditionally associated with a series of calamities said to have befallen the Jewish people on similar or nearby dates throughout history.

“Look at what’s happening here – the Jews are praying and feel they are the rightful owners of this place,” said Ben Gvir in a video filmed at the complex and posted on his Telegram channel.

“Everyone understands that the State of Israel is the sovereign authority. There is still much to be done, and with God’s help, we will continue to move forward,” Ben Gvir insisted.

Il ministro della Sicurezza nazionale israeliano Itamar Ben-Gvir visita la moschea di Al-Aqsa, durante la festività di Tisha B'Av, giorno di digiuno e lutto che commemora la data del calendario ebraico in cui si ritiene siano stati distrutti il Primo e il Secondo Tempio, nella Città Vecchia di Gerusalemme, il 23 luglio 2026, in questa immagine tratta da un video diffuso dall’ufficio stampa. Itamar Ben Gvir via Telegram/via REUTERS QUESTA IMMAGINE È STATA FORNITA DA UNA TERZA PARTE. CREDITO OBBLIGATORIO. DIVIETO DI RIVENDITA. DIVIETO DI ARCHIVIAZIONE. VERIFICA: - La cupola della moschea, gli alberi e le scale corrispondono alle immagini satellitari e d’archivio dell’area. - La data è stata confermata dal discorso di Ben-Gvir, in cui conferma la sua presenza in occasione del «Tisha B’Av» (giorno annuale di lutto ebraico) che cade il 23 luglio 2026.

Located in East Jerusalem, which has been unilaterally annexed by Israel, the complex is revered as the third holiest site in Islam and, at the same time, as the holiest site in Judaism, where the two ancient temples once stood.

Access is governed by a ten-year ‘status quo’ agreement between Israel and Jordan, whose religious foundation administers the site. Under this agreement, Jews may visit but are not permitted to pray there, whilst Muslim worship is to continue uninterrupted.

Since joining the government of Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu , Ben Gvir has visited the Temple Mount on several occasions, often accompanying his visits with political messages directed against the Palestinians. His actions have often been seen as a provocation likely to fuel tensions, particularly since the start of the war in Gaza.

A 25-year-old Palestinian man was killed this evening by gunfire from the Israeli army in Haddada, east of Jenin, in the West Bank, according to the Wafa news agency, citing the Palestinian Ministry of Health. The ministry added that Israeli soldiers subsequently took the body of the victim, who was from Tubas, into their custody. The incident occurred after Israeli forces had deployed reinforcements near the Haddad military camp. Earlier, an Israeli soldier had sustained minor injuries following an alleged attempted stabbing near the same military camp.