Is it truly possible to capture the depth of destruction in mere numbers and figures? A comprehensive report co-authored by the World Bank, United Nations, and European Union posits the financial burden of rebuilding the Gaza Strip is staggering — a colossal $53.2 billion over the upcoming decade. While numbers carry their own weight, they barely scratch the surface of the economic devastation wrought by the recent conflict.
The aptly titled ‘Gaza and West Bank Interim Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (IRDNA)’ provides a haunting snapshot of the widespread havoc. Encompassing nearly every facet of economic life, the urgent call for recovery echoes loudly from the pages. “Damages to physical infrastructures alone are valued at around $30 billion,” the report indicates, further underscoring the gravity of the situation. Housing inevitably took the brunt, representing a staggering 53% of total damage, with sectors like commerce and industry trailing at 20%.
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Economic losses aren’t just measured in crumbled concrete and shattered windows, but also in halted productivity and missed opportunities. The IRDNA report quantifies these losses at a monumental $19 billion, with health, education, and commerce bearing the greatest burden. Can numbers alone capture the essence of livelihoods unraveled and dreams deferred?
The consequences ripple far beyond physical destruction. Imagine prices skyrocketing over 300% in a year. In Gaza, where almost all economic activities have come to a standstill, people face this harrowing reality, with food prices ballooning by an unprecedented 450%. It begs the question: How does a community survive such relentless economic pressure?
Staring into the future, Gaza’s economic projections paint a bleak picture. By 2024, economic contraction is expected to plummet by 83%, leaving Gaza contributing a mere 3% to the Palestinian economy, despite housing 40% of the population. The adjacent West Bank isn’t unscathed, bracing for a predicted contraction of 16% this year. Perhaps it’s a stark reminder of interconnected destinies — when one region staggers, the other finds its footing on quaking ground.
A glimmer of respite arrived with a ceasefire taking effect on January 19, bringing temporary silence to the cacophony of weapons and munitions. But at what cost? The Israeli-Palestinian conflict claimed nearly 48,300 lives, predominantly women and children, leaving the land steeped in grief and ruin.
Justice’s wheels, however slow, are turning. In November, the International Criminal Court issued arrest warrants for Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu and his former Defense Minister Yoav Gallant, accusing them of war crimes and crimes against humanity. Additionally, Israel contends with a genocide case at the International Court of Justice. Will accountability stem from these proceedings, or simply reinforce age-old narratives?
Intersecting geopolitical interests further entangle the region’s destiny. US President Donald Trump’s audacious proposal to repurpose Gaza into “the Riviera of the Middle East” — through resettlement of its Palestinian populace — was swiftly condemned as ethnic cleansing. His vision was soundly repudiated by Palestinians, Arab nations, and a chorus of Western dissent. It leaves one wondering, could such a sweeping plan ever really stand a chance?
Conversely, Egypt has meticulously prepared what they describe as a “comprehensive” plan for Gaza’s reconstruction. Crucially, their approach safeguards the rights of the Palestinian inhabitants, prioritizing rebuilding without displacement. Cairo’s plans will be the focal point of an emergency Arab summit slated for March 4, offering a critical counter-narrative to Trump’s approach.
Moreover, Arab leaders will congregate in Riyadh on February 20, orchestrating a united response to the US proposal, weaving a collective strategy to counter external pressures. In the world of geopolitics, sometimes unity serves as the strongest currency.
Through the dust and debris, the future of Gaza hangs delicately, balanced between ambition and resilience. What remains to be seen is whether international cooperation and determination can once again breathe life into the faltering economy and soul of the region. Only time will tell which path will prove resilient enough to walk upon.
Edited By Ali Musa
Axadle Times International–Monitoring
