Gaza rubble clearance faces a humanitarian and logistical hurdle as the United Nations estimates that removing 61 million tonnes of debris could take up to a decade and cost billions of dollars, according to Jaco Cilliers, the UN Development Programme’s special representative in Palestine. The massive volume of waste, generated by widespread destruction up to July 2025, is approximately 20 times the amount produced across all wars globally over the preceding 18 years.
The Scale of Destruction on Beirut Street and Beyond
Clearing a single section of road in the Tel al-Hawa neighborhood of Gaza City demands an entire day of grueling labor. Ahmed Alyan, a UN engineer working with a World Food Programme (WFP) team on Beirut Street, described the immense difficulty of the operation. “I feel as if we are holding a spoon and trying to empty the sea,” Alyan said after a long summer shift.
Beirut Street, once a bustling thoroughfare lined with shops and offices, remains virtually deserted. Debris blocks the road alongside tilted concrete towers where displaced families continue to live. Damaged drainage systems have caused sewage to flood sections of the roadway, compounding the hazards for cleanup crews working among ruined buildings, human remains, and unexploded ordnance.
Recycling Concrete and Overcoming Equipment Shortages
International and local organizations have managed to clear 580 kilometers of roads, enabling the movement of aid trucks and residents. However, after more than two years of work, teams have removed approximately 907,000 tonnes of rubble and recycled over 300,000 tonnes, accounting for just 1.5% of the total debris.
Did you know?
Gaza contains roughly 20 times the rubble generated in all global wars combined over an 18-year period, according to UNDP data.
To address the massive deficit in building supplies caused by Israeli restrictions banning heavy equipment—fearing dual-use applications by Hamas—the UNDP operates five rubble-crushing sites. Local engineers even reconstructed two crushers from available models when imports were blocked. Crushed concrete is sorted to remove steel rods and then reduced to marble-sized fragments used to fill potholes, repair roads, and elevate tents above sewage and rainwater.
“These solutions have been imposed on us by the reality we are living in,” said Nehal Abu Hassan, a WFP team member, noting that recycled materials lack the quality of natural stone.
Humanitarian Sensitivities and Economic Recovery
The cleanup effort carries profound emotional and safety concerns. UNDP estimates suggest between 8,000 and 10,000 bodies may still be buried beneath collapsed structures. Organizations like the International Committee of the Red Cross are coordinating forensic identification processes to ensure proper burials and documentation for grieving families.
Despite these barriers, clearing debris provides tangible relief. Ibrahim Daradona, a displaced resident from Jabaliya living in Tel al-Hawa, noted that wider roads reduced rodent populations and eliminated hazards for children. Cilliers stated that clearing storefronts often prompts small businesses to reopen within 20 days, offering a vital spark to Gaza's local economy.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much rubble is currently in Gaza?
Widespread destruction has generated more than 61 million tonnes of debris across the Gaza Strip, according to UNDP estimates.
How long will it take to clear the debris?
The UN estimates that removing the bulk of the rubble will take between seven and 10 years and cost billions of dollars.
How are organizations managing the lack of construction equipment?
With authorities banning new machinery imports, the UNDP manages crushing sites to recycle concrete into aggregate for road repairs and shelter foundations, utilizing local ingenuity to rebuild broken machinery.
What are the primary hazards faced by cleanup crews?
Teams encounter unexploded ordnance, asbestos dust, unstable partially standing buildings, and human remains buried beneath the ruins.
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