Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism (GRM)

In 2014, following the end of Operation Protective Edge, an agreement was formulated between the United Nations, the Palestinian Authority, and the State of Israel, known as the "Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism" (GRM). The GRM was established in order to allow construction materials to be transferred into the Gaza Strip for rehabilitation and development of public projects in a variety of sectors.

Since the establishment of the Gaza Reconstruction Mechanism (GRM), and as of January 2017, over 6.5 million tons of construction materials have been transferred into the Gaza Strip. These building materials have helped the development of the construction sector in the Gaza Strip, with the restoration and renovation of more than 100,000 housing units.

The GRM has also brought about the construction of public projects in the fields of medicine, infrastructure, education, economics, and others. These projects include constructing the residential neighborhood of "Sheikh Hamad" in Khan Yunis, paving and repairing roads, creating desalination plants and wastewater treatment plants, constructing new hospitals, community centers, stadiums, schools, and more. Some 189 public projects have been completed and approximately another 475 projojects are in various stages of progress.

In the wake of the Hamas terrorist organization's control of the government in the Gaza Strip, and the open declaration of their goals to destabilize the security of the State of Israel, the GRM is implemented in light of studying the risks mentioned. Hamas often attempts to steal the cement that enters the Gaza Strip in order to construct terror tunnels, rather than reconstruct civilian housing and facilities. In order to thwart such attempts, COGAT works in close cooperation with Israeli security officials and the United Nations to supervise the construction materials and ensure they reach their intended destination.

If you would like to know more about the status of the GRM, including future projects and how many people are repairing their homes at any given time, visit the GRM's website for live updates and statistics.