Arab and Islamic roles in Gaza’s reconstruction
The aggression against Gaza was not
merely an attempt to break the will of its people; it was a genocide aimed at
reshaping life in the Strip. The occupation bet on massive destruction to drive
Palestinians from their land, resulting in the devastation of more than 90% of
the buildings in the territory.
With the war’s end, the issue of
reconstruction has become one of the most sensitive and crucial files, as it
directly affects the lives of Gaza’s residents and plays a key role in reviving
the local economy. The enormous costs involved cannot be borne by a single
entity; rather, they require collective efforts from Arab and Islamic
charitable organizations, alongside international institutions, and states.
This article seeks to shed light on the roles of these actors in rebuilding the
Gaza Strip.
Charitable Organizations: The Beating
Heart of Civil Society
For decades, charitable and Islamic
organizations have been the first to respond to support the oppressed and
afflicted everywhere. Institutions in Kuwait have long led the way in this
field, and there is no need to provide evidence of their responsiveness and
impact, as it is widely recognized.
Rebuilding
Gaza: A New Battle Requiring Wide Coordination Between Charities, States, and
International Organizations
There is no doubt that Arab and
Islamic charitable organizations have contributed as much as they could,
despite the siege and restrictions, in providing aid to our afflicted people in
Gaza. They build on their established closeness to the community, their prior
work with the people, and their prompt action to meet urgent needs. This role
is expected to grow even more during the reconstruction phase.
Among the main paths that charitable
organizations can pursue are addressing two central gaps. The first is
escalating the provision of urgent relief, building on their previous efforts,
and meeting the daily needs of people amid ongoing financial and material
crises, including the many wounded and families of martyrs who require
continuous support. The second is sustainable development projects, a highly
important area, particularly in terms of economic empowerment and contribution
to the local economy, which will have a direct impact on people’s lives.
This means that the work of these
organizations will proceed along two parallel paths. The first is the continued
provision of direct humanitarian aid, including food, medicine, and shelter,
especially for the most vulnerable groups. At the same time, they will support
projects aimed at restoring normal life, such as backing family-run businesses
and small and medium-sized enterprises, which help households regain their
productive capacity and provide opportunities for youth and women to work and
achieve self-reliance, ultimately contributing to the construction of schools,
hospitals, and community centers.
International
Funding and Field Governance: Two Key Pillars for Addressing Gaza’s
Unprecedented Destruction
There is no doubt that credible
Kuwaiti organizations will play a central role in the aforementioned areas,
enhancing transparency and coordination with various Arab and Islamic
charitable institutions, and ensuring that aid reaches its rightful recipients
efficiently and fairly. These matters are of utmost importance given the
numerous and diverse needs in the post-war period and during the reconstruction
phase.
International Organizations: Expertise
and Governance
Given the scale of needs, it is
crucial for international organizations to get involved, as the situation in
Gaza requires concerted efforts. Several international bodies are already
active in the Strip, such as United Nations agencies including UNRWA and
UNICEF. The importance of these organizations lies in their access to
substantial funding from donor countries, which provides far greater financial
capacity than that of charitable associations, whose resources remain largely
local and community-based.
The importance of these organizations
also lies in building local capacities and continuing to leverage their prior
experience in Gaza, particularly UNRWA, which possesses a vast information
base, a large workforce, and a highly influential institutional presence. Their
teams have strong field capabilities, which the occupation attempted to target
over the past two years, yet they have continued their work despite all
pressures.
Arab and Islamic Countries: Essential
Political and Financial Support
Alongside the responsibilities of
local and international organizations, the pivotal role of states becomes
clear. Arab and Islamic countries must bear a significant part of the
responsibility for Gaza’s reconstruction. It is hoped that these countries will act swiftly to
allocate financial resources for rebuilding, including establishing joint
reconstruction funds capable of financing major projects in the Strip, such as
road networks, rubble removal, substantial housing, school restoration, and
more.
Reconstruction
is not limited to physical rebuilding; it also involves empowering the community
and restoring normal life.
In addition to financial support,
these countries must exert pressure to ensure the continuation of the ceasefire
and prevent the occupation from launching another war, especially after the
resistance fulfilled its objectives and prisoners were released. Palestinians
have endured severe hardships over the past two years, with urgent needs
spanning living conditions, health, education, and the economy. Reconstruction
cannot succeed in an unstable environment or under military pressures imposed
by the occupying state. International pressure is also needed to ease
restrictions and obstacles to the entry of aid and heavy equipment.
Undoubtedly, some Arab and Islamic countries possess significant technical and
engineering expertise and have prior experience in reconstruction efforts,
which should be fully leveraged.
A Future Vision for Comprehensive
Reconstruction
For Gaza’s reconstruction to become a
true developmental project, it must address the real needs of the people and consider
the specific details of Palestinian society in the Strip, including the roles
of families and active social networks. It is also important to restore the
role of community hubs, particularly mosques, which provide a vital legal and
intellectual framework for Palestinians in the Strip.
As for the broader and more critical
needs related to key economic, educational, and health sectors, it is essential
to establish specialized bodies in each area. These bodies should coordinate
efforts across all levels—including local charities, donor institutions, and
Arab and Islamic states—to work integrally, set priorities, and monitor
implementation on the ground.
Kuwait
has continued its pioneering role in humanitarian work for decades, supporting
the afflicted and disaster-stricken.
Here, several solutions can be
proposed to help achieve these goals, including adopting a unified digital
system to track funding and progress, as well as other systems that maintain
direct contact with beneficiaries. This should be combined with direct
collaboration with relief teams that operated during the aggression and gained
significant experience despite being repeatedly targeted.
In conclusion, the reconstruction of
the Gaza Strip cannot be carried out by a single entity; it is a shared
responsibility—Arab, Islamic, and humanitarian. It requires concerted efforts
and the integration of roles. The ability of these actors to act swiftly and
coordinate effectively will contribute to a significant achievement, shortening
the reconstruction timeline. Gaza possesses vital technical, engineering, and
knowledge expertise, as well as immense human potential capable of achieving
the impossible. We witness this resilient and heroic people writing a new story
of recovery and revival.
______________________________________________
You may also like:
On the Duty of Rebuilding Gaza: A Historical Perspective
Gaza’s Reconstruction: The New Jihad of Rebirth and Renewal
What are the Zionist obstacles to the reconstruction of Gaza?
