Doha:The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip has entered its fourth year, leaving a trail of profound humanitarian and socioeconomic devastation despite a ceasefire being in place for over a year. The region continues to grapple with displacement, food insecurity, and deteriorating services.
According to Qatar News Agency, data from officials in the Gaza Strip highlight widespread human, social, and material losses. The fragile ceasefire has not led to significant recovery or reconstruction, hindered by a persistent blockade, political deadlock, and delays in ceasefire agreement implementations. Over 1.2 million people face severe food insecurity, and hundreds of thousands remain displaced in inadequate shelters.
The Ministry of Social Development in Gaza, represented by spokesperson Aziza Al Kahlout, reports severe social impacts, particularly on vulnerable groups. The war has orphaned 71,846 children, left 64,413 widows without breadwinners, and increased female-headed households to about 86,000. Older people, persons with disabilities, and those requiring rehabilitation face extraordinary challenges, with nearly 259,000 families displaced across 2,090 shelters.
Dr. Ahmed Al Najjar from the Ministry of Education notes unprecedented losses in the education sector, with thousands of students and educators killed or injured, alongside the destruction of numerous educational facilities. The education system struggles to recover amid massive infrastructural damage.
Nada Nabil from the Palestinian Center for Missing and Forcibly Disappeared Persons reports that over 7,000 people are missing, many believed to be under rubble or forcibly disappeared. Efforts to locate and account for these individuals are hampered by restrictions on equipment and resources.
Rami Khreis from the Center for Political and Developmental Studies highlights that despite the ceasefire, human losses continue, with significant fatalities and injuries reported. Damaged housing, rubble, and economic contraction underscore the need for a massive recovery investment estimated at $71.4 billion. The healthcare sector operates at minimal capacity, with only a fraction of hospitals functioning partially.
Khreis and other experts stress that political deadlock and military restrictions impede recovery efforts. A comprehensive resolution requires lifting the blockade, facilitating movement, and securing international funding. Addressing these issues is critical for transitioning from emergency relief to sustainable recovery and reconstruction in Gaza.