Israeli bombing severely weakened Gaza’s economy: report | Gaza News

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The United Nations, European Union, and World Bank reports estimated that the Gaza Strip suffered between 290 million and 380 million U.S. dollars after the 11-day offensive in May.

A report stated that the socio-economic conditions in the Gaza Strip have been severely weakened due to the Israeli offensive in May (PDF) Discovered by the United Nations, the European Union and the World Bank.

The Gaza Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA) report released on Tuesday estimated that 11 days bombing 290 million to 380 million U.S. dollars, and recovery needs are expected to be between 345 million and 485 million U.S. dollars.

“After the hostilities, 62% of Gaza’s population was food insecure,” the report said, adding that before the escalation, the unemployment rate had reached 48% and the poverty rate had exceeded 50%.

The offensive killed at least 260 Palestinians, including 66 children, and caused extensive damage to infrastructure and residential areas. On the Israeli side, 13 people were killed by rockets fired by Palestinian armed groups in coastal enclaves, including two children.

This Gaza Strip It is one of the most densely populated areas in the world, with 2 million Palestinians — half of whom are under the age of 18 — living in a coastal area of ​​365 square kilometers (141 square miles). It has been blocked by Egypt and Israel for 14 years, resulting in a terrible humanitarian situation. A UN report predicts that it will be “uninhabitable” by 2020.

At least 800,000 people have no access to clean water and only a few hours of electricity supply each day. In addition, the coronavirus pandemic has exacerbated the already weak healthcare system, with medical equipment and medicines in short supply.

The RDNA report found that most of the damage caused by the Israeli bombing in Gaza in May was caused by social sectors such as housing, health, education, social protection, and employment, and was estimated to be US$180 million.

The report stated: “The housing sector alone accounts for nearly 93% of the total losses in the social sector.”

The report recommends that the international community increase its support for cash aid projects for Palestinians in Gaza, ensure the delivery of humanitarian aid supplies, and transfer critical medical cases and patients to areas outside Gaza.

“In the short term, Gaza’s socio-economic recovery will depend on two factors: the level of funding available for reconstruction activities, including funding from donors; and the degree of restrictions on the movement and access of people and goods into Gaza, especially The supply of basic reconstruction materials,” the report said.

The report also called on Israel to provide some important reconstruction materials, which Israel calls “dual-use materials”, such as cement, chemicals and pipelines.

It also called on Israel to establish a financing mechanism and allow a sufficient amount of fuel to enter Gaza.



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