Gaza (Transatlantic Today) -The United Nations and the World Bank jointly released a report on Tuesday, estimating the damage to infrastructure in Gaza resulting from Israeli bombings at $18.5 billion. This assessment follows the December 7, 2023 attacks by Hamas in Israel, which prompted Israeli airstrikes on Gaza.
The report indicates that Gaza suffered approximately $18.5 billion in damages to critical infrastructure during the first four months of the Israeli attack, initiated in response to the Hamas attacks on October 7. According to the World Bank’s interim damage assessment, conducted in partnership with the United Nations and the European Union, this amount represents a staggering 97 per cent of the combined economic output of the West Bank and Gaza in 2022. The assessment covers the period from the onset of the conflict on October 7 to the end of January.
The report sheds light on the extensive destruction of infrastructure in the conflict between Israel and Gaza, highlighting the dire conditions in the narrow coastal enclave. Health facilities have been destroyed, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis, with the population facing hunger and aid efforts impeded.
Structural damage spans across all sectors, with housing accounting for 72% of the costs and public service infrastructure, including water, health, and education facilities, comprising 19%, according to a statement from the World Bank.
The repercussions of the conflict are profound, with over a million people left homeless and 75% of the population displaced. More than half of Gaza’s inhabitants are on the brink of famine, and the entire population suffers from acute food insecurity and malnutrition.
“The catastrophic cumulative effects on physical and mental health have hit women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities the hardest, and the youngest children are expected to face lifelong consequences for their development,” stated the World Bank.
According to Firstpost, The education system in Gaza has collapsed, leading to 100% of children out of school. Additionally, 92% of primary roads have either been destroyed or damaged, further hindering recovery efforts, according to the World Bank.
The report underscores the urgent need for humanitarian assistance, including increased food aid and production, provision of shelter, and rapid, cost-effective housing solutions for displaced individuals. It also emphasizes the importance of resuming essential services to mitigate the ongoing humanitarian crisis in Gaza.
