U n NDP: War has brought Gaza back to the years 50s

The war between Israel and Hamas ʹthe Palestinian group declared terrorist organisations by the United States and the European Union has destroyed the Palestinian economy and left nearly half the population of 2.3 million in poverty. Quality of life indicators such as health and education have turned back 70 years, the United Nations Development Agency (UNPD) said.

Starting a study on the socioeconomic impacts of war, Chitos Noguchi of the UNDP said the economy in Palestinian territories ʹ the Gaza Strip and the occupied West Coast was now 35 per cent smaller than before the start of the war between Israel and Hamas in Gaza a year ago.

According to some measures, the poverty rate in Gaza is now approaching 100 per cent due to economic disruptions, with the unemployment rate now reaching 80 per cent, Noguchi said.

The state of Palestine is experiencing unprecedented levels of turning back”, she said during a media conference in Geneva.

“As far as Gaza is concerned, it is estimated that development has been back for 70 years or in 1955”, she added.

Even under optimistic conditions, if international aid sent to Gaza and the West Coast remains at current levels, it will take at least a decade for the economy to recover at the pre-war level, she said.

The war began after Hamas attacked Israel on October 7, last year, killing about 1,200 people and kidnapping another 250. As a result of the Israeli offensive, more than 42,000 Palestinians have been killed in Gaza, and territories have suffered great damage.

Schools, hospitals and other essential infrastructure have become ground level. Close to 3.3 million Palestinians -- 2.3 million in Gaza and 1.5 million of them children -- need urgent assistance, the UN estimates.

The cost of repair of infrastructure damage is expected to reach an estimated $18.5 billion. REL