A recent report by the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) highlights the devastating impact of the ongoing conflict in Gaza, indicating that Israel’s military operations have significantly regressed development indicators by nearly 70 years. The assessment reveals a grim forecast for the Palestinian territories, with the poverty rate projected to exceed 74 percent in 2024, affecting approximately 4.1 million individuals.
The UNDP’s findings, released on October 22, 2024, illustrate a severe contraction of the Palestinian economy, which has shrunk by 35 percent since the onset of the latest Israeli offensive in Gaza. Unemployment rates are predicted to soar to around 49.9 percent, indicating widespread economic distress.
Among the stark revelations, the report notes a projected decline in the Human Development Index (HDI) for Gaza, a composite statistic measuring average achievement in key areas such as health and education. The HDI is expected to regress to levels seen in 1955, essentially erasing over six decades of progress. The situation in the occupied West Bank is similarly dire, where the HDI is expected to reflect a loss equivalent to 16 years of development. The report warns that these conditions could deteriorate further if Israeli military operations intensify.
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The poverty landscape is particularly alarming. The report estimates that the poverty rate in Gaza will nearly double this year, reaching 74.3 percent. This translates to 4.1 million impoverished individuals across the Palestinian territories, which includes both Gaza and the West Bank. Notably, 2.61 million of these individuals have fallen into poverty within the past year, underscoring the escalating humanitarian crisis.
Chitose Noguchi, a UNDP representative, emphasized the unprecedented nature of the setbacks faced by the State of Palestine. The agency’s head, Achim Steiner, described the immediate consequences of the conflict in terms of infrastructure destruction, poverty, and loss of livelihoods as substantial. Steiner remarked that the level of devastation has set back Palestine’s development trajectory by years, if not decades. He cautioned that even with ongoing humanitarian assistance, it may take a decade or more for the Palestinian economy to recover to pre-crisis levels.
The UNDP report also highlights the alarming environmental impact of the conflict. Israeli airstrikes have generated an estimated 42 million tons of rubble in Gaza, posing significant health hazards. Among the most pressing concerns is the destruction of solar panels, which can release harmful substances like lead and other heavy metals into the environment.
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As the humanitarian situation worsens, the United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has made an urgent appeal for a ceasefire, particularly in northern Gaza, to facilitate the delivery of humanitarian aid to those trapped amid the violence. UNRWA chief Philippe Lazzarini has reported dire conditions, indicating a complete lack of food, water, and medical supplies in the beleaguered region. He described a scene of pervasive death, with bodies left exposed in the streets and under debris, and humanitarian missions hindered by ongoing hostilities.
The Gaza Government Media Office has reported that since the start of Israel’s military campaign, Israeli forces have blocked more than 250,000 trucks carrying essential aid and goods from entering the territory. As a result, a staggering 96 percent of the population is experiencing severe food shortages. According to Gaza’s Ministry of Health, the conflict has resulted in at least 42,718 fatalities and over 100,282 injuries since the outbreak of violence on October 7, 2023.
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In light of these developments, the UNDP report serves as a sobering reminder of the long-term repercussions of the ongoing conflict, particularly regarding the socio-economic and environmental challenges faced by the Palestinian population. The bleak outlook presented in the report underscores the urgent need for a comprehensive ceasefire and humanitarian intervention to alleviate the suffering of those affected by the war.
