Key factors shaping post-disaster building damage assessment: insights from the Gaza Strip as a conflict zone

The accurate and swift assessment of building damage is essential for effective post-disaster restoration, yet this process is often hindered by managerial, technological, financial, and humanitarian challenges, especially in conflict-affected regions. While this study focuses on the Gaza Strip as a case study, the findings are applicable to other regions experiencing similar conflict-induced hazards. The research explores factors impacting post-disaster damage assessment and reconstruction, identifying key barriers to effectiveness and proposing guidelines for improvement. A literature review provided insights into existing challenges, which were further examined through expert interviews. A survey was conducted among site engineers, disaster managers, emergency officers, and project managers, achieving a 78.7% response rate. The findings highlighted that unstable structures, absence of safety permits, and residual hazards were among the most significant challenges, with field circumstances such as the scale of damage and geographical location having the greatest impact. Community participation was deemed less influential. The study recommends standardizing assessment procedures, improving data management, and prioritizing safety measures to enhance rehabilitation efforts and improve the quality of life for affected populations. Future research should refine these recommendations and assess their practical implementation.