"At least 66 percent of employment in Gaza has been lost"

The report states, "Since the start of the conflict on October 7, at least 66 percent of employment in Gaza has been lost, which amounts to 192,000 jobs. As of November 30, it is estimated that a total of 468,000 jobs have been lost in the occupied Palestinian territories."

The report recalls that the ILO and PCBS had previously estimated that 390,000 jobs would be lost in the occupied Palestinian territories due to the ongoing conflict, noting that this estimate has now been exceeded.

It was stated that these job losses represent a "loss of labor income" of approximately 20.5 million dollars per day.

The report projects that the unemployment rate in Palestine, which was 24 percent in the fourth quarter of 2022, is expected to rise to 46.1 percent in the same period of 2023, adding, "This situation will further worsen the already devastating humanitarian and economic conditions, especially in Gaza."

ILO Regional Director for Arab States Ruba Jaradat, whose views were included in the report, assessed, "Palestinians in Gaza are living in the midst of a massive humanitarian catastrophe. The repercussions on the lives and livelihoods of the people affected by this situation are beyond anything previously seen in the occupied Palestinian territories."

Jaradat noted that the impact of this situation on the economy, society, and development is being felt seriously and gradually on the labor market in the West Bank, as well as in Gaza.

"THE PALESTINIAN ECONOMY IS LOSING MORE THAN ONE-THIRD OF ITS PRODUCTION BASE"

PCBS President Ola Awad also stated that the ongoing war has significantly affected every aspect of life, leading to a humanitarian, social, and economic crisis.

Awad said, "Palestinians in Gaza are facing severe shortages of food, water, and shelter. This situation is leading to the almost complete destruction of the economic cycle and causing the Palestinian economy to lose more than one-third of its production base."

The report points out that even before the current conflict, the situation under the blockade was dire, and the people of Gaza had long been struggling with high poverty and unemployment.

In a report published by the ILO on November 7, it was reported that more than 60 percent of employment in the Gaza Strip, which is under intense Israeli attacks, had been lost.