The war, which began over 11 months ago, has caused "staggering" damage to Gaza’s infrastructure and businesses, with 82% of enterprises damaged or destroyed. By mid-2024, Gaza's economy had dramatically contracted, and its GDP plummeted by 81% in the last quarter of 2023 alone.
The West Bank is also suffering from a rapid economic decline due to increased violence, settlement expansions, and land confiscation. GDP there contracted by 19% in late 2023. Unemployment rates have soared, particularly in Gaza, where nearly 201,000 jobs were lost by January 2024, pushing unemployment to 79%. The situation has left nearly the entire population of Gaza in poverty, while conditions in the West Bank continue to worsen.