The United Nations says it has the funds and operational capacity to expand relief and reconstruction work in Gaza, but access remains the main obstacle. Speaking to journalists, the head of the United Nations Development Programme, Alexander De Croo, called for greater access to the occupied territory for UN agencies. Appointed in November 2025, he chose Gaza for his first overseas visit in the role and described conditions there as the worst he has ever witnessed.
De Croo said only 0.5 per cent of Gaza’s rubble has been cleared so far. “At the current pace, it will take us seven years to remove all the rubble,” he said, warning that 90 per cent of the population is living amid debris that poses serious risks.
During his visit, he toured Firas Market in Gaza City, where about 370,000 tonnes of waste have accumulated after municipal systems collapsed during the war. UNDP teams have begun clearing the site to restore it as an economic hub. He added that while 4,000 recovery housing units are ready, up to 300,000 are needed. Acknowledging Israeli security concerns, De Croo said they “should not be a reason to refuse access” to the UN and humanitarian organisations.
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