Human, economic, environmental cost of Gaza war surpasses $104b – study

A new study by the East Centre for Research and Culture estimates that the Israeli aggression against the Gaza Strip has caused losses surpassing $104 billion. The updated analysis, released on the 400th day of the war, evaluates the extensive human, material, psychological, and environmental toll on Gaza.

Unprecedented Human Losses

Human losses are valued at $24.3 billion, with approximately 54,000 martyrs and missing persons, each assigned a compensation value of $300,000, totaling $16.2 billion. Severe injuries account for $7.5 billion, while moderate and minor injuries add another $600 million.
The report also highlights the deliberate targeting of 1,000 specialised medical staff, whose irreplaceable expertise was valued at $1 billion collectively.

Massive Material Damage

Material losses dominate the findings, amounting to $67.91 billion. Key components include:

Buildings: 36 million square metres of damaged buildings, valued at $500 per square metre, totaling $18 billion. 24 hospitals accounted for an additional $4.8 billion.

Furniture: Damaged furniture across 36 million square metres, valued at $250 per square metre, totaling $9 billion.

Partially Damaged Buildings: 40 million square metres, valued at $100 per square metre, totaling $4 billion.

Displacement Costs: Approximately 400,000 families experienced five displacements on average, incurring $1,500 per displacement, totaling $3 billion.

Shops, Factories, Farms, and Vehicles: Losses included $4.5 billion for shops, $300 million for factories, $1 billion for farms, $160 million for vehicles, $50 million for ambulances and civil defense vehicles, and $200 million for University and medical laboratories.

Infrastructure: Damage to roads, sanitation, water, electricity, and communication networks amounted to $2 billion.

Labour Disruption: Work stoppages affected 400,000 Palestinian workers, leading to $16 billion in lost income.

Migration Costs: About 100,000 people fled to Egypt, incurring $400 million in travel costs.

Psychological and Environmental Costs

The psychological impact on Gaza’s 2.4 million residents is valued at $12 billion, reflecting widespread trauma from fear, loss, and hardship. Israeli psychological warfare adds another $1 billion.
Environmental destruction, including 90,000 tons of explosives and the devastation of green spaces, as well as spread of building debris and airborne dust is estimated at $2.9 billion.

A Growing Crisis

The study warns that these figures are likely to rise if the Israeli aggression resumes. The initial assessment, released after 180 days of fighting, estimated losses at $75.65 billion, underscoring the scale of ongoing destruction.

Attribution: Amwal Al Ghad English