UNCTADs report on assistance to the Palestinian people indicates that eight years of economic blockade have compounded the effects of hard-hitting military operations which have further hampered the territorys ability to export and produce for its domestic market, Xinhua reported.
According to estimates laid out in UNCTADs report, last years conflict alone either damaged or completely destroyed 247 factories, 300 commercial centres, 20,000 Palestinian homes, 148 schools, 15 hospitals and 45 primary health-care centres, while displacing some 500,000 people.
UNCTAD reported that serious damage was also inflicted on Gaza s sole power plant, while the agricultural sector suffered 550 million U.S. dollars of losses.
Three major military operations were conducted by Israeli forces between 2008 and 2014.
Figures show that unemployment levels in Gaza reached record highs in 2014, with 44 percent of the population being jobless, while per capita gross domestic product decreased by 30 percent compared to 1994.
With exports from Gaza remaining almost completely blocked, and imports and cash transfers severely restricted, UNCTAD warned that donor aid will not be able to reverse the continued de-development and impoverishment of Gaza.
Editor: Priyambodo RH
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