World Bank: Gaza Infrastructure Damages Estimated at $18.5 Billion

A new report issued, Tuesday, by the World Bank and the United Nations stated that the cost of damage to vital infrastructure in Gaza is estimated at $18.5 billion, equivalent to 97% of the gross domestic product of the West Bank and Gaza Strip combined in 2022.

The report concluded that the damage to infrastructure facilities and installations affects all sectors of the economy, as residential buildings constitute 72% of the cost, while public service infrastructure, such as water, health and education, constitute 19%, and damage to commercial and industrial buildings constitutes 9% of this cost, according to Al Hurra channel.

The World Bank noted that "the destruction left a huge amount of debris and rubble estimated at about 26 million tons, which may take years to remove and dispose of."

The interim damage assessment report used remote data collection sources to estimate damage to physical infrastructure in critical sectors between October 2023 and the end of January 2024, according to the World Bank.

The report addressed the economic impact on the population of Gaza, as "more than half of them are on the brink of famine, and the entire population suffers from severe food insecurity and malnutrition. There are more than a million people homeless, and 75% of the Strip's population has been displaced."

He pointed out that women, children, the elderly, and people with disabilities were among the groups most affected by the war’s “catastrophic cumulative effects on their physical, psychological, and mental health, with younger children expected to face consequences that will affect their growth and development throughout their lives.”

The report stated that with 84% of hospitals and health facilities damaged or destroyed, and a lack of electricity and water to operate the remaining ones, residents have access to only the minimum level of health care, medicines, or life-saving treatments.

The report said, "The water and sanitation system has almost collapsed, and now provides only less than 5% of its previous services, forcing residents to rely on very small water rations to survive."

As for the education system, “it has collapsed, with 100% of children out of school,” according to the World Bank.

The report also pointed out the impact on electricity networks and solar energy production systems, and the almost complete power outage since the first week of the conflict. “With 92% of the main roads destroyed or disabled, and the communications infrastructure deteriorating, delivering basic humanitarian aid to the population has become very difficult.” ", according to the report.