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Gaza Buried in 61 Million Tons of Rubble, UN Says, as Truce Frays and Interim Rule Plan Advances

Recovery is constrained by contaminated debris, unexploded ordnance and tight controls on aid, leaving basic services and schooling near collapse.

Overview

  • UN satellite analysis estimates roughly 61.5 million tons of debris across Gaza with about 78% of buildings damaged or destroyed, rising to 83% in Gaza City.
  • Environmental assessments warn at least 4.9 million tons of rubble may contain asbestos and around 2.9 million tons could hold hazardous industrial waste.
  • Despite a US-brokered cease-fire, Israeli actions were reported in Gaza including a confirmed drone strike in Nuseirat that wounded four and demolitions near Khan Younis, with local authorities counting dozens of deaths since the truce began.
  • UNICEF warns of a potential ‘lost generation,’ noting a third year without regular schooling and that only about one-sixth of school-age children have reached temporary learning centers.
  • Hamas and other Palestinian factions say they agreed to hand administration to a temporary technocratic committee, as UNRWA urges Israel to let winter supplies in, WHO reports just 200–300 aid trucks a day versus 600 needed, and UNMAS cites over 560 unexploded devices found without full clearance access.