UN Experts Warn Gaza Reconstruction Risks 'Entrenching Injustice' Without Human Rights Safeguards

Reacting to the Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, the experts described the scale of destruction as historic—and the response framework as dangerously incomplete.

United Nations human rights experts have issued a stark warning over the future of Gaza's reconstruction, cautioning that current approaches risk deepening inequality and prolonging suffering unless grounded firmly in international law and human rights principles.

Reacting to the Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment, the experts described the scale of destruction as historic—and the response framework as dangerously incomplete.

Unprecedented Destruction, Massive Displacement

The assessment reveals a humanitarian catastrophe of extraordinary proportions:

• More than 371,000 housing units destroyed or damaged

• Approximately 1.9 million people displaced, many multiple times

• Over 60% of Gaza's population left homeless

Reconstruction needs are estimated at over $71 billion, with housing identified as the hardest-hit sector.

Yet, despite these staggering figures, UN experts say the report fails to address the core political and legal conditions necessary for rebuilding to succeed.

"The occupation must end, and the dispossession and discrimination against Palestinians must stop if rebuilding is to have any real chance," the experts said.

Beyond Infrastructure: A Crisis of Rights

While the assessment focuses heavily on financial requirements and physical reconstruction, experts argue it overlooks the fundamental issue of rights—including the right to adequate housing, protection from forced displacement, and self-determination.

International law, they stress, prohibits the arbitrary destruction of civilian homes and requires rights-based reconstruction that ensures dignity, security, and long-term sustainability.

"Reconstruction is not only about rebuilding structures – it is about restoring rights, dignity and equality," the experts said.

Vulnerable Groups Hit Hardest

The findings highlight that the burden of destruction is not evenly shared. Women, persons with disabilities, and older people are among the most affected:

• Women, particularly widows and female-headed households, face barriers to housing, land, and property rights

• Overcrowded shelters leave many without privacy or basic dignity

• Persons with disabilities encounter severe accessibility challenges

• Older individuals face isolation, loss of community networks, and limited access to services

"The data confirms a pattern of structural discrimination that reconstruction efforts must urgently correct rather than reproduce," the experts warned.

Concerns Over Governance and Accountability

A major gap identified is the lack of clarity around who will oversee reconstruction efforts and whether proposed governance structures—such as the "Board of Peace"—align with international legal standards.

Experts caution that without transparency and accountability, reconstruction could become:

• Profit-driven, dominated by real estate and commercial interests

• Exclusionary, sidelining vulnerable populations

• Detached from the needs and rights of affected communities

"Without explicit safeguards, reconstruction processes may become a race for profits," they warned.

Call for Rights-Based Reconstruction Framework

The experts are urging that rebuilding efforts be guided by the draft Guiding Principles for Reconstruction, which emphasise:

• Compliance with international human rights and humanitarian law

• Inclusive and participatory decision-making, led by Palestinians

• Transparency and accountability in funding and implementation

• Remedies and reparations for those displaced or harmed

• Long-term solutions that prevent renewed displacement

Central to these principles is the recognition of self-determination as an inalienable right, ensuring that Palestinians play a leading role in shaping their future.

A Risk of Rebuilding Without Justice

The experts expressed deep concern that the current assessment treats housing primarily as a technical and financial issue, rather than a human rights imperative.

They warn that rebuilding without addressing underlying causes—such as occupation, displacement, and systemic inequality—could entrench existing injustices.

"Failure to align with international human rights standards risks entrenching injustice and prolonging the suffering of Palestinians for generations," they said.

A Defining Moment for the International Community

The UN experts have called on States, international organisations, and donors to ensure that all reconstruction efforts are firmly rooted in human rights.

As global actors mobilise resources for Gaza's recovery, the challenge will be to move beyond infrastructure rebuilding toward a comprehensive approach that restores dignity, equity, and lasting peace.

With billions in aid at stake and millions of lives affected, the path chosen now could shape the region's future for decades to come.