Impact of the Ongoing Conflict in Gaza
According to a recent assessment from a UN-backed report, the ongoing conflict has reversed developmental progress in Gaza by as much as 69 years. This stark regression is compounded by rising poverty levels, which are projected to increase by an alarming 74.3% in 2024, pushing an additional 2.61 million individuals into poverty.
The ramifications of the year-long war have led to severe food insecurity, with approximately 86% of the population facing crisis levels of hunger, as highlighted by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (UNESCWA). Efforts to deliver food supplies have been significantly hindered by Israel’s blockade, ongoing hostilities, and a breakdown of law and order.
A staggering number of displaced individuals has resulted in thousands residing in overcrowded tent camps or makeshift shelters. In an effort to combat the rising threat of polio, Gaza initiated a vaccination campaign for children in August, amid fears that the disease could spread due to the near-total collapse of the healthcare system.
According to the UNDP, there is potential for the Palestinian economy to embark on a path of restoration that aligns with its pre-war development goals within a decade. However, achieving this will necessitate a comprehensive recovery and reconstruction strategy that integrates humanitarian aid with strategic investment. The report emphasizes that lifting economic restrictions is critical for facilitating Gaza’s recovery.
Humanitarian Crisis and Economic Outlook
Gaza has endured a blockade by land, sea, and air since 2007, and the restrictions on the movement of people, goods, and technology have adversely affected its economy even before the escalation of Israeli strikes. The UNDP forecasts that Gaza’s gross domestic product (GDP) will shrink by 35.1% in 2024, with unemployment rates soaring to 49.9%. According to the Hamas-run Health Ministry, Israel’s military operations in the Gaza Strip have resulted in over 42,000 fatalities, without distinguishing between combatants and civilians.
Importance of Humanitarian Aid
The organization has underscored the necessity for humanitarian aid specifically targeted at Gaza’s early post-war recovery, which is vital for restoring its development trajectory. “The assessment indicates that, even with annual humanitarian assistance, the economy may take a decade or longer to return to pre-crisis levels. As conditions improve, a robust early recovery strategy for the Palestinian people is essential,” stated ESCWA Executive Secretary Rola Dashti. “Our assessments serve to sound the alarm over the millions of lives that are being shattered and the decades of development efforts that are being obliterated,” Dashti added.
Israel has justified its military campaign in Gaza as essential to eliminate Hamas, asserting that its strikes and ongoing blockade are aimed at the militant group rather than civilians. However, the Israeli government faces mounting pressure from international entities, including the UN and its key ally, the United States, to address the escalating humanitarian crisis. Recently, the Biden administration cautioned that Israel could jeopardize its access to military funding if it does not enhance the flow of humanitarian aid into Gaza.
Related Developments
- Second round of emergency polio vaccinations begins in Gaza
- US threatens to cut military aid to Israel over Gaza humanitarian crisis
In early October, the UN raised alarms about the plummeting levels of aid entering the Gaza Strip, reporting that the three hospitals in northern Gaza were facing dire shortages of crucial supplies. As Israel intensifies its military focus in northern Gaza, it claims this offensive is necessary to combat Hamas fighters who have regrouped in that region. UN spokesman Stephane Dujarric revealed that 85% of requests to deliver food to northern Gaza were denied by Israeli authorities. The Israeli-run body, COGAT, which manages aid crossings into Gaza, has contested claims that crossings to the north have been halted.
