Gaza Herald- UN experts said Gaza’s reconstruction must comply with international law and human rights standards, rejecting what they described as neo-colonial agendas, and reaffirmed that Palestinians’ right to self-determination is inalienable, warning against treating Gaza as a mere real estate venture and opposing any external interference.
They emphasized that Palestinians’ right to self-determination is inalienable and that Gaza’s reconstruction and future must be decided by them, with their right to stay and return protected.
The experts sharply condemned the UN Security Council’s “Peace Council,” calling it an illegitimate move by powerful states that undermines self-determination, ignores the International Court of Justice, and imposes a colonial approach on Gaza’s reconstruction.
They denounced the real estate profiteering in Gaza, calling on leaders to view it as a devastated homeland and uphold its residents’ right to reconstruct their lives after enduring extreme hardship and deprivation.
By October 2025, over 90% of Gaza’s homes had been damaged or destroyed, with UN experts warning that Israel’s systematic destruction of housing may constitute war crimes and could reach the level of crimes against humanity or genocide.
The analysis was released alongside a draft UN Human Rights guidance on reconstruction, which affirms that people affected by conflict have the right to rebuild and receive compensation to fully restore their economic, social, cultural, civil, and political rights.
UN experts urged member states to ensure Gaza’s residents can lead and benefit from reconstruction, securing funding and access to materials to rebuild homes, infrastructure, public services, schools, and healthcare, and restore places of worship and cultural sites.
Experts say Israel, as the occupying power, along with states that supported its campaign, bears primary responsibility, stressing that a sustainable, rights-based reconstruction requires a ceasefire, an end to the occupation, and safeguards against future violations.
