Who Will Rebuild Gaza? - By Professor Abdullahi Danladi

The question of who will rebuild Gaza is not merely an inquiry about logistics or financial assistance; it is a moral, political, and humani...

The question of who will rebuild Gaza is not merely an inquiry about logistics or financial assistance; it is a moral, political, and humanitarian question that tests the conscience of the world. Gaza today stands as a graveyard of dreams, where entire neighbourhoods have been turned into rubble, hospitals flattened, schools reduced to dust, and generations of hope buried beneath the ruins. To rebuild Gaza, therefore, is not just about erecting walls and roads; it is about restoring dignity, humanity, and justice to a people who have endured decades of dispossession and dehumanisation.

The first truth that must be acknowledged is that Gaza’s destruction did not occur by accident or natural disaster. It is the result of systematic bombardment, siege, and deliberate policy, designed to break the spirit of resistance and render the land uninhabitable. To ask “who will rebuild Gaza?” without asking “who destroyed it?” is to pretend neutrality in the face of oppression. Israel’s relentless aggression, often justified under the guise of self-defense, has left the Strip in ruins. Yet, as the smoke clears, the same powers that armed and supported this destruction now speak of reconstruction, as though they can wash their hands of complicity through financial aid.

The people of Gaza themselves, resilient beyond imagination, will undoubtedly play the central role in rebuilding their homeland. They have done so time and again, after each war, after each assault, they rise from the ashes. Their strength, faith, and unity remain their greatest assets. But rebuilding Gaza cannot be left to the victims alone. The international community, especially the Arab and Muslim nations, must move beyond expressions of sympathy to meaningful action. Reconstruction requires not only funds but also political will, the courage to challenge the blockade, demand accountability, and insist that aid not be used as a tool of control.

There is also a profound irony in the fact that some of the very nations that fund Israel’s military machine now promise to fund Gaza’s reconstruction. How can a house be rebuilt by the same hands that bombed it? Real rebuilding must therefore begin with justice which involves ending the occupation, lifting the siege, and ensuring that Palestinians have control over their land, borders, and resources. Without this, any reconstruction effort will be temporary, fragile, and destined to be undone by the next wave of aggression.

Furthermore, international organisations and humanitarian agencies will no doubt have a role to play. Yet their efforts must be guided by transparency, inclusiveness, and respect for Palestinian sovereignty. Reconstruction that is dictated from outside with conditions attached or politics disguised as aid — risks perpetuating dependency rather than fostering genuine recovery can not be accepted. 

Ultimately, the rebuilding of Gaza is not only a physical project but a moral test for humanity. The world’s response will reveal whether it values human life equally, whether it stands for justice over power, and whether it is capable of compassion that is not selective. Gaza does not need pity; it needs partnership. It does not need charity; it needs the end of oppression.

The people of Gaza will rebuild as they always do. But the question remains: will the world stand beside them this time, not as donors seeking influence, but as allies in justice? Until that happens, rebuilding Gaza will remain an unfinished task, not because its people lack courage or skill, but because the world still lacks conscience.