Palestinian ministry of public works reports reconstruction progress in Gaza and West Bank

The Palestinian Ministry of Public Works and Housing organized a press conference in Ramallah to review its reconstruction and recovery efforts during the 19th government term (2024 to 2026).

The ministry reported that it has carried out 111 projects valued at 178 million shekels to address infrastructure needs and emergency responses in Gaza and the northern West Bank.

Minister of Public Works and Housing Ahed Faeq Bassiso stated that the ministry evaluated 38,000 buildings in Gaza, identifying 190,000 damaged housing units, of which 85,000 are completely destroyed. In partnership with the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the ministry implemented interventions exceeding 60 million dollars. These actions included completing 23 shelter centers for 2,644 displaced families and providing 700 temporary shelter units for farmers.

The ministry also performed quick repairs on 800 partially damaged housing units and is working on 1,000 more. The ministry also reported removing 1.63 million tons of rubble and opening 420 roads totaling 670 kilometers to facilitate movement and humanitarian access. A new plan for 2026 to 2027 aims to remove and process 5.3 million tons of rubble, with a goal to recycle 70 percent of that material.

In the northern West Bank, the ministry launched a housing repair program funded with 2 million dollars to address 450 units. Additionally, the ministry completed 21 public building projects and designed an alternative Wad al-Nar road to improve connectivity between the northern and southern West Bank.