According to a report published by the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) titled "The War in Gaza: Expected Socio-Economic Consequences for the State of Palestine," the level of poverty in Palestine could surpass 60% if the active phase of the Palestinian-Israeli conflict continues for nine months. The report highlights that Israel has been engaged in active combat in the Gaza Strip for almost seven months, with projections indicating a significant rise in poverty rates.
"The poverty rate is forecasted to increase from 38.8% to 60.7% if the conflict persists for nine months. This escalation is expected to push a substantial portion of the middle class below the poverty line," the document emphasizes.
As a result, approximately 1.86 million Palestinians could fall below the poverty line by July. Furthermore, the report highlights a sharp surge in unemployment in the occupied Palestinian territories, particularly in the Gaza Strip. By the first quarter of 2024, unemployment in Palestine had reached an unprecedented 57%.
The escalation of the situation in the Middle East has escalated following the infiltration of fighters from the Palestinian movement Hamas into Israeli territory on October 7, 2023. This incident was deemed as a response to Israeli actions concerning the Al-Aqsa Mosque in Jerusalem. Subsequently, Israel imposed a complete blockade on Gaza and initiated retaliatory strikes on the Strip, as well as parts of Lebanon and Syria, before commencing a ground operation within the enclave. Clashes have also erupted in the West Bank as a result of the heightened tensions.
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Based on materials from TASS