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INTERNATIONAL welfare organisation Shelter Cluster said at the weekend it would take 20 years under current levels of restrictions to rebuild the Gaza Strip’s battered homes.
Shelter Cluster is chaired by the Norwegian Refugee Council with the participation of the UN refugee agency and the Red Cross.
The group is involved in assessing post-conflict reconstruction of Gaza and its report underscores the complexities of the programme, which some Palestinian officials have estimated could cost in excess of $6 billion (£3.6bn).
Any effort to rebuild Gaza will be hindered by the blockade imposed by Egypt and Israel since Hamas took direct power in 2007. Israel has severely restricted the import of building materials.
Shelter Cluster said 17,000 Gaza homes had been destroyed or severely damaged this year and 5,000 still needed work after damage in previous military campaigns.
It says Gaza also has a housing deficit of 75,000 units.
