The United Nations Environment Programme has launched a feasibility study to examine whether war debris in Gaza Strip can be recycled to reclaim coastal land and build artificial islands as part of future reconstruction efforts.
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According to the UN, more than two years of war have left Gaza covered with nearly 57 million tonnes of rubble, including shattered concrete, metal and other construction waste, while around three-quarters of the enclave’s built environment has been destroyed.
One proposal under consideration involves recycling debris to extend Gaza’s Mediterranean coastline and create artificial islands offshore. The approach could help absorb part of the massive amount of rubble while reducing the need for dredging and extracting new building materials.
However, UNEP cautioned that the available debris would still be insufficient for such a large-scale engineering project. The agency noted that reconstruction plans discussed at an Arab summit in Cairo would require nearly 200 million cubic metres of aggregates, while recycled debris could provide only a small fraction of that amount.
The UN said recycled rubble could potentially be used for seabed foundations, breakwaters, coastal defences, and raising low-lying land, provided the material meets environmental and engineering standards.
Officials also warned that Gaza’s debris contains hazardous materials, including asbestos, industrial waste, unexploded ordnance and even human remains, making sorting and treatment a critical challenge before any reuse.
The UN confirmed that teams are currently establishing two recycling centres in Gaza to convert rubble into construction materials.
The organisation added that debris management also involves cultural and historical concerns, as destroyed buildings include important archaeological and heritage sites.
UNEP pointed to international examples where rubble was reused for reconstruction projects, including post-war land reclamation efforts in Beirut and coastal rebuilding in Japan after the 2011 earthquake and tsunami.
The agency stressed that any future projects in Gaza must comply with environmental laws and international standards to avoid ecological damage and broader regional concerns.
