MORE than $71 billion (around £53bn) will be needed over the next 10 years for the recovery and reconstruction of Gaza, a new report said.

The Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) demonstrates the shocking toll on the infrastructure caused by Israel’s war on the Palestinians in Gaza that has killed at least 72,500 people.

The RDNA, commissioned by the European Union and the United Nations, said the conflict has had a “catastrophic impact on human development” and left Gaza desperately in need of immediate large-scale funding. 

The report says some $26.3bn (£20bn) will be needed in the first 18 months of Gaza’s reconstruction to restore essential services, rebuild critical infrastructure and support economic recovery in the enclave.

A joint statement by the EU and the UN said: “Physical infrastructure damages are estimated at $35.2bn (£26.5bn), with economic and social losses amounting to $22.7bn (£17bn).”

The UN said the Israeli bombardment of Gaza has generated more than 61 million tonnes of rubble, leaving entire communities entombed.

According to the RDNA, 371,888 homes have been destroyed or damaged, affecting around 60 per cent of the population.

More than 50 per cent of hospitals in Gaza are now “non-functional” and nearly all schools have been destroyed or damaged.

The report says that only around 16 per cent of Gaza’s economy remains and 1.9 million people have been displaced, often multiple times. 

The hardest hit sectors of Gaza’s economy include “housing, health, education, commerce and agriculture.”

The report added that the conflict has set back human development in Gaza by 77 years.

Both the EU and the UN have called for Gaza’s reconstruction to be Palestinian-led even as US President Donald Trump has made clear his intention to clear the enclave and rebuild it as a Mediterranean Sea resort.