Report says structural damage affects every sector of the economy An estimated 26 million tons of wreckage have been left in the wake of the destruction WASHINGTON: The cost of damage to critical infrastructure in Gaza during the first four months of the Israel-Hamas war is around $18.5 billion, according to a joint World Bank and UN report. The Interim Damage Assessment report, which had financial support from the European Union, said this was equivalent to almost 97 percent of the combined gross domestic product of the West Bank and Gaza in 2022. The report said the damage affected every sector of the economy, with housing accounting for 72 percent of the costs. Public service infrastructure such as water, health and education accounts for 19 percent, and commercial and industrial buildings for 9 percent. An estimated 26 million tons of wreckage have been left in the wake of the destruction and will take years to be removed. The report highlights that more than half of Gaza is on the brink of famine, with the whole population experiencing acute food insecurity and malnutrition. Over a million people are without homes and 75 percent of the population is displaced. Catastrophic cumulative impacts on physical and mental health have hit women, children, the elderly and those with disabilities the hardest, while the youngest children are expected to face life-long development issues. Gaza’s inhabitants have minimal access to health care, medicine or lifesaving treatments. Some 84 percent of health facilities have been destroyed and there is a lack of electricity and water. People are dependent on limited water rations due to the near collapse of the water and sanitation system. There is no longer an education system and no children attend school. The report also points to the impact on power networks as well as solar-powered systems and the almost total power blackout that has taken effect since the first week of the conflict. The delivery of basic humanitarian aid to people has become almost impossible, with 92 percent of primary roads destroyed or damaged and the communications infrastructure seriously impaired. About the Gaza Interim Damage Assessment Report The Gaza Interim Damage Assessment report draws on remote data collection sources and analytics to provide a preliminary estimate of damages to physical structures in Gaza as a result of the conflict, in accordance with the Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment methodology. RDNAs follow a globally recognized methodology that has been applied in multiple post-disaster and post-conflict settings. A comprehensive RDNA that assesses economic and social losses, as well as financing needs for recovery and reconstruction, will be completed as soon as the situation allows. The cost of damages, losses and needs estimated by a comprehensive RDNA is expected to be significantly higher than that of an interim assessment.