A new report released by the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank has shed light on Gaza’s economic losses after Israel’s 11-day war.
260 Palestinians, including 66 children, were killed during the attacks, resulting in widespread damage to infrastructure and residential areas.
Titled The Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA), the report estimated that the damage caused by the latest Israel’s aggression was between $290m and $380m.
Most of the damage was caused to social sectors such as housing, health, education, and social protection and jobs, at an estimate of $180m.
“The housing sector alone represents almost 93 percent of the total damages to the social sectors,” the report said.
According to the report, the reconstruction process needs are projected at between $345m and $485m.
“Following the hostilities, 62 percent of the population of Gaza is food insecure,” the report said.
The report also pointed out that unemployment was already at 48 percent and poverty rates above 50 percent before the escalation.
The RDNA report called on the international community to increase its support for cash assistance programmes for the Palestinians in Gaza, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid, and transfer critical medical cases and patients outside of Gaza.
“In the short-term, socioeconomic recovery in Gaza will be determined by two factors: the level of available financing, including from donors, for reconstruction activities; and the extent of the restrictions on movement and access of people and goods entering Gaza, particularly the supply of essential reconstruction materials,” the report said.
In Gaza, the humanitarian situation remains dire. There is increasing poverty, unemployment, food insecurity, and sporadic outbreaks of violence.
The Gaza Strip hosts 2.2 million people and has very limited infrastructure due to the years-long Israeli blockade.