On the 18th, the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Union released an assessment report on the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip in Palestine, stating that the reconstruction work would require more than $50 billion.
The 'Loss and Needs Assessment Report' estimates that the recovery and reconstruction work in the Gaza Strip over the next 10 years will cost $53.2 billion, with $20 billion needed in the first three years. Of the $53.2 billion, approximately $29.9 billion will be used to repair damaged buildings and other infrastructure, including about $15.2 billion for housing reconstruction; $19.1 billion will be used to make up for social and economic losses, covering areas such as health, education, business, and industry.
Report data shows that the ongoing new round of the Israeli - Palestinian conflict, which has lasted for more than a year, has led to the damage or destruction of over 292,000 residential houses in the Gaza Strip, 95% of hospitals have stopped operating, and the local economy has shrunk by as much as 83%.
The report also warns that due to the lack of answers to many questions, such as how to govern the Gaza Strip after the war and how to implement security measures locally, the Gaza Strip currently does not have the conditions to start large - scale recovery and reconstruction. The'speed, scale, and scope' of the future recovery in the Gaza Strip depend on the above - mentioned factors that remain to be clarified.
Currently, Arab countries are discussing an 'Arab Plan' for the reconstruction of the Gaza Strip, hoping to dispel the claim of the US government that the Gaza Strip should be 'taken over' and 'owned' by the US. A source revealed that the 'Arab Plan' is mainly based on the reconstruction plan proposed by Egypt, aiming to complete the reconstruction in three years and may require up to $20 billion from relevant Arab and Gulf countries.
According to the plan drawn up by Egypt, a committee composed of Palestinians will manage the Gaza Strip, but the Islamic Resistance Movement (Hamas) will not participate in the management; the international community will participate in the reconstruction work without forcing Gaza residents to move to other countries.
Arab leaders, including those from Jordan, Egypt, the United Arab Emirates, and Qatar, will hold a meeting in Saudi Arabia regarding the 'Arab Plan', possibly on the 21st. According to the source, the 'Arab Plan' will be submitted for review at the Arab emergency summit on March 4th, and multiple Arab countries are rushing to study and discuss this plan.
Regarding the 'Arab Plan', Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Saar said that Israel is waiting to evaluate the plan. He emphasized that Israel will not accept any plan that allows Hamas to exist in the Gaza Strip.
On the 18th, Saar announced that Israel and Hamas will start the second - stage cease - fire negotiations in the Gaza Strip this week. The Qatari Foreign Ministry later said that the second - stage negotiations have not started yet, and the current focus is still on implementing the content of the first - stage agreement before moving forward.
According to the cease - fire agreement, Israel and Hamas were supposed to start the second - stage cease - fire negotiations on February 3rd to discuss matters such as the release of the remaining Israeli captives and the withdrawal of the Israeli army from the Gaza Strip.