A destroyed and desolate landscape. It might look like an earthquake has struck, but this was no natural disaster. Here among the rubble and ruins are some of neighbourhoods of Gaza obliterated after almost two months of fighting.

Gaza is seeking billions of dollars to rebuild its shattered infrastructure and economy. Reconstruction in particular requires vast amount of cement.

Gaza economist Maher Al-Tabbaa explains that in order to import the amount of cement required, the current blockade would need to be lifted.

"For rebuilding the Gaza Strip and reconstruct what was destroyed during the latest war we should have two major things. The first one is to open all the commercial crossings with Gaza and to bring all the construction material that is needed, like cement, steel, and stones without limitation on a daily basis around the year. The Gaza Strip needs more than 10,000 tonnes of cement per day to rebuild Gaza in a fast way," he said.

Even before the fighting, the seven year Egyptian-Israeli blockade had left Gaza's local economy in a state of total collapse. While Israel has agreed to ease the blockade as part of a ceasefire deal, specific details are yet to be agreed.

Regardless, residents hold little hope that reconstruction will resume in the future.

"If the situation remains the same we will never be able to rebuild, even in 10 years time, I doubt we will be able to rebuild. No one even bothers to ask about what is happening here. As you can see the situation has not change, it has been a month since the end of the war but no one has started the rebuilding process," he said.

With Israel eager to prevent the reconstruction of underground tunnel networks, the issue of cement imports to Gaza will likely be crucial when negotiations take place.

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Gaza Crisis Israel