The war is creating an entire area of unemployed Muslim fanatics who detest Jews and now rely on their charity as well as America’s. This is not a good situation going forward.
Since the war with Israel erupted last October, unemployment in the Gaza Strip has surged to nearly 80%, according to the United Nations labor agency. This escalation has driven the average unemployment rate across Palestinian territories to over 50%.
Unemployment in Gaza has hit a “staggering” 79.1% since Israel launched its war on the besieged enclave, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO) https://t.co/0O6WKP2G6j pic.twitter.com/k4y8dMasiv
— Al Jazeera English (@AJEnglish) June 7, 2024
The International Labour Organization (ILO) reported in its fourth assessment of the war’s impact on employment that the unemployment rate in the Gaza Strip has reached a staggering 79.1%. In contrast, the West Bank has experienced a significant, though comparatively lower, joblessness rate of nearly 32%. These figures combine to a collective unemployment rate of 50.8% across the Palestinian territories.
Ruba Jaradat, ILO Regional Director for Arab States, highlighted the grim reality by noting that these statistics do not account for Palestinians who have stopped searching for work altogether. “The situation is much worse,” she stated.
The Israeli military campaign in Gaza was a response to Hamas’ incursion into southern Israel on October 7, which resulted in approximately 1,200 fatalities and the capture of 253 individuals as hostages, according to Israeli sources. The ensuing offensive by Israel has resulted in over 36,500 deaths in the Gaza Strip, as reported by local health authorities. Even before the conflict, around half of Gaza’s 2.3 million residents were living below the poverty line.
Unemployment in the Gaza Strip has reached nearly 80% since the war with Israel erupted last October, the United Nations labour agency said, bringing the average unemployment rate across Palestinian territories to more than 50% https://t.co/CVk2mH6act
— Reuters (@Reuters) June 7, 2024
Jaradat emphasized the dire consequences of such high unemployment rates. “Imagine with this very high level of unemployment, people will not be able to secure food for themselves and for their families,” she said. The health impact is equally severe, she added, noting that even those with money find it challenging to access healthcare due to the overwhelmed medical facilities.
Economically, the war has severely impacted the Palestinian territories. The real gross domestic product (GDP) has shrunk by nearly 33% since the conflict began. The Gaza Strip has experienced a drastic GDP contraction of 83.5%, while the West Bank has seen a reduction of 22.7%, according to ILO data.
“In the occupied Palestinian territory and particularly in the West Bank, the reduction in incomes has pushed many families into severe poverty,” Jaradat noted. The economic downturn has exacerbated the already challenging living conditions, leading to increased poverty and instability across the region.
Amid Gaza war children now work to survive. UN agency reports staggering 80% unemployment. Read the full story: https://t.co/bDzK2qyzOF
— TOP X News (@TOPXNews) June 7, 2024
The labor market in the Palestinian territories, particularly in Gaza, has been devastated by the ongoing conflict, with a significant portion of the population unable to find work or support their families. This economic and humanitarian crisis underscores the urgent need for international attention and intervention to address the escalating unemployment and its far-reaching consequences on health, poverty, and overall stability in the region.
Major Points:
- Unemployment in the Gaza Strip has reached nearly 80% since the war with Israel began in October, raising the overall unemployment rate in Palestinian territories to over 50%.
- The Gaza Strip’s unemployment rate stands at 79.1%, while the West Bank has a rate of nearly 32%, according to the International Labour Organization (ILO).
- The Israeli offensive, in response to a Hamas attack, has resulted in over 36,500 deaths in Gaza, where half the population already lived below the poverty line.
- The war has caused a significant economic downturn, with the real GDP contracting by nearly 33% overall, 83.5% in Gaza, and 22.7% in the West Bank.
- High unemployment is severely impacting food security and health, with many unable to access essential services despite having money due to overwhelmed facilities.
Conner T – Reprinted with permission of Whatfinger News