The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) has reported that the poverty rate in the Palestinian territories is expected to nearly double this year, reaching 74.3% following months of conflict in Gaza.
Achim Steiner, head of the UNDP, emphasized the extensive impact of the war, stating, “The immediate consequence of the war, not just in terms of the destruction of physical infrastructure, but also regarding poverty and the loss of livelihoods, is enormous.”
At the end of 2023, the poverty rate stood at 38.8%, but an additional 2.61 million Palestinians have fallen into poverty this year, bringing the total to approximately 4.1 million. Steiner noted that this significant level of destruction has set back the development of the state of Palestine by years, if not decades.
The report further estimates that unemployment in the Palestinian territories could surge to 49.9% this year, with Gross Domestic Product (GDP) expected to be 35.1% lower than it would have been without the conflict. Steiner warned that even with consistent humanitarian aid, the Palestinian economy may not return to pre-crisis levels for a decade or more. Recovery will necessitate substantial support to rebuild the damaged infrastructure and a lifting of “stifling economic conditions.”
The study highlights that Israel’s bombing campaign has generated approximately 42 million tonnes of rubble in Gaza, posing significant health risks. The damage to solar panels is particularly concerning due to the heavy metals and lead they release.
The current conflict began following Hamas’s unprecedented attack on Israel on October 7 of the previous year, which resulted in the deaths of 1,206 individuals, predominantly civilians, according to an AFP tally based on official Israeli figures. In response, Israeli bombings and ground offensives in Gaza have led to the deaths of 42,603 people, most of whom are civilians, according to data from the Hamas-run health ministry, figures that the UN considers reliable.
