Gaza housing crisis: 76% of homes destroyed or damaged

The housing crisis in Gaza has reached critical levels, with families forced to live in partially collapsed buildings. In Gaza City’s Palestine Square, residents like Masada Abu Jarad have been forced to set up tents inside their own homes to protect against the elements after structural failures.

According to a joint investigation by the United Nations, the World Bank, and the European Union, approximately 76.6% of the housing stock in Gaza—totaling 371,888 units—was destroyed or severely damaged as of October 2025. The lack of safe alternatives and the high cost of rent prevent displaced families from finding stable shelter.

Estimates suggest that rebuilding the entire Gaza Strip will require more than $71 billion over the next decade.