Gaza War Plunges Palestinians Back Decades in Development, UN Warns
The ongoing war in Gaza has dealt a devastating blow to Palestinian development, pushing millions into poverty and erasing decades of progress, Al Jazeera reports, citing a new report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP).
The report, released on Tuesday, paints a grim picture of the impact of Israel’s military offensive, revealing that the Palestinian economy has shrunk by 35% since the war began in October. Unemployment is estimated to have soared to a staggering 49.9%, and the poverty rate is projected to nearly double to 74.3% in 2023.
The human cost is equally devastating. The report reveals that the Human Development Index (HDI) for Gaza, a measure of overall well-being, has plummeted to levels last seen in 1955, effectively reversing 69 years of progress. In the occupied West Bank, the HDI has also suffered a significant drop, representing a loss of 16 years of development. The report warns that further deterioration is likely if the Israeli military assaults expand.
The UNDP cites the destruction of infrastructure, including the creation of 42 million tonnes of rubble in Gaza, as a major contributor to the crisis. The report warns that the destruction of solar panels poses a particular health risk due to the release of lead and other heavy metals.
Meanwhile, the UN agency for Palestinian refugees (UNRWA) has made an urgent appeal for a pause in the fighting to allow humanitarian aid to reach trapped civilians in northern Gaza. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini reported that his staff are finding it impossible to deliver food, water, or medicine to the war-torn region.
The Gaza Government Media Office reports that Israeli forces have prevented the entry of over 250,000 trucks of aid and goods since the war began, leaving 96% of the population facing severe food shortages.
The Ministry of Health in Gaza has reported that at least 42,718 people have been killed and 100,282 wounded in Israeli attacks since the beginning of the war on October 7.
