Reconstructing Gaza: Contrasting Visions for a Troubled Future

Fri Nov 07 2025 12:03:53 GMT+0200 (Eastern European Standard Time)

The road to rebuilding Gaza after the recent conflicts is fraught with differing opinions and challenges as local residents contend with various proposed plans from both domestic and foreign actors.

As Gaza starts to recover from extensive war damage, various plans emerge to rebuild the territory, each presenting distinct visions for its future. Local residents grapple with the competing ideas of foreign plans like Trump's 'Gaza Riviera' and the 'Phoenix Plan' devised by Gazans. The reconstruction process promises to be slow and complicated, as political and logistical hurdles remain looming in the background.

The battle over Gaza's future: Why no one can agree on the rebuild

In the midst of a still shaky ceasefire, Gazans are taking the first tentative steps along the long road to recovery.

Bulldozers clear away the remnants of war, as mountains of rubble line the streets of Gaza City, where many neighborhoods are unrecognizable. Wrecked buildings stand in stark contrast to memories of bustling life shared by long-time residents.

Local people express skepticism towards plans conceived outside Gaza. Abu Iyad Hamdouna, 63, surveys the wreckage that was once his home, voicing a collective concern that without their input, any rebuilding effort may fail to adequately serve them.

The United Nations estimates the reconstruction cost at £53bn ($70bn), with nearly 300,000 homes destroyed. Gazans are confronted with the daunting task of navigating through 60 million tonnes of debris, included possibly dangerous unexploded bombs.

Several ambitious schemes present themselves, from Trump’s controversial 'Gaza Riviera' proposal of luxury developments, to the 'Phoenix Plan', which aims to empower Gazans to create their future.

The release of the Phoenix plan, envisioned by a committee of Palestinian experts, focuses on preserving local culture and addressing the community’s needs rather than pushing forward grand international visions. Yet competing interests from various nations threaten to dilute this local initiative.

The dilemma continues further with the Palestinian Authority asserting its role in the reconstruction effort. Various interventions from national and international bodies intensify the debate on who holds the authority and vision necessary for rebuilding Gaza.

Ultimately, while many compelling visions surface, only time will reveal which direction Gaza's reconstruction will take and who truly has the power to shape its future.