Restoring Household Access to Essential Infrastructure Services in Post-War Gaza: Housing, Shelter, Electricity, and Water

Since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023, the Gaza Strip has suffered extensive destruction on an unprecedented scale, affecting most aspects of life and vital infrastructure. Intense bombardment and ongoing military operations have destroyed large parts of cities and residential neighborhoods, giving rise to a  profound humanitarian and economic crisis. Estimates indicate that over 64,000 Palestinians have been killed and over 172,000 others injured. Meanwhile, approximately 1.9 million people, accounting for around 90% of the population, have endured repeated internal displacement. These conditions have coincided with an almost complete collapse of the economic and social system, which has particularly affected the most vulnerable groups, including women, children, the elderly, and persons with disabilities. 

As for the housing sector, data indicate that hundreds of thousands of housing units in the Gaza Strip have been destroyed or damaged. During the first year of the war alone, approximately 292,000 housing units were destroyed, accounting for over 60% of the pre-war housing stock. Meanwhile, the total number of fully or partially damaged units exceeded 330,000 by 2025. Satellite imagery has documented the destruction of nearly 70% of buildings in the Strip. This extensive destruction has triggered a massive wave of forced displacement, as most families were compelled to leave their homes multiple times in search of temporary shelters. Studies indicate that some families have been displaced more than ten times in the course of the war. Given this reality, many residents have been forced to seek refuge in makeshift tents, damaged buildings, or school-turned-shelters, while others are staying with relatives or in non-residential structures. These conditions have created a severe housing crisis, with approximately 1.8 million people in need of emergency shelters, amid severe overcrowding, lack of privacy,  and inadequate basic services. 

In addition to the housing crisis, the energy sector in Gaza has experienced an almost complete collapse due to power supply cuts and the destruction of energy infrastructure. Before the war, the Gaza Strip relied primarily on electricity imported from Israel as well as on the electricity generated by its sole power plant. However, these sources ceased completely at the outset of the aggression. As a result, over 2.1 million people lost access to electricity, and residents and critical facilities were forced to rely on generators and limited solar power. Despite the heavy reliance on generators, restrictions on the entry of fuel into the Gaza Strip have made operating generators extremely difficult, which has adversely affected the operations of hospitals, water stations, bakeries, and shelters .

The water and sanitation sector has also suffered extensive destruction due to the damage of networks and infrastructure, and the lack of energy necessary to operate pumps and wastewater treatment plants. Water production in Gaza fell to less than 6% of pre-war levels during the first few months, at a time when two-thirds of the population received no more than 6 liters per person per day, far below the minimum water consumption per capita per day in emergencies.
Damaged water networks have led to significant water leakage, while most wastewater treatment plants have stopped functioning. This has resulted in sewage  overflowing into streets and solid waste accumulating, contributing to the spread of infectious diseases and further exacerbating health and environmental risks.

In light of these conditions, the paper proposes a set of policies and interventions to address the  humanitarian crisis and enhance access to essential  infrastructure services. This proposed set of interventions includes emergency housing and reconstruction programs, and the expansion of the use of renewable energy, such as solar power, to generate electricity. It also includes the implementation of urgent repair programs for water and sanitation networks to improve  water resource management. The paper also emphasizes the importance of collaboration between the Palestinian government, the international community, the private sector, and the local community to ensure an effective and sustainable humanitarian response, thereby contributing to rebuilding infrastructure and reinforcing the Gaza community’s ability to remain steadfast and recover in the post-war period.