The Israeli-Hamas war, ignited by Hamas’ October 7, 2023 attacks and Israel’s subsequent military response, has devastated Gaza. The conflict has resulted in a staggering loss of life, with nearly 42,000 Palestinians killed, mostly women and children, according to the Hamas-run Ministry of Health. This catastrophic death toll is compounded by the near-total displacement of Gaza’s population – approximately 90% of its 2.3 million residents are now internally displaced, fleeing relentless airstrikes and seeking refuge amidst the widespread destruction. The scale of devastation extends far beyond the immediate human cost, leaving an enduring mark on the physical landscape and the future of Gaza. The damage to infrastructure alone is estimated at a staggering $18.5 billion, nearly equaling the combined GDP of the Palestinian territories in the preceding year. This immense destruction hinders any hope for rapid recovery and highlights the long road to reconstruction.
Extensive Infrastructure Damage in Gaza
The war’s impact on Gaza’s infrastructure is catastrophic and unprecedented. A staggering 72% of housing has been destroyed or damaged, leaving hundreds of thousands homeless and vulnerable. The damage extends beyond residential areas; critical infrastructure has been severely compromised. According to the UN and the World Bank, 84% of health facilities and a shocking 92% of primary roads have been rendered unusable. This widespread destruction cripples essential services, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis. The lack of access to adequate healthcare, clean water, and basic transportation dramatically hinders recovery efforts and increases suffering amongst the civilian population. The ongoing nature of the conflict prevents accurate ground assessments. International journalists face strict restrictions on access, while Palestinian journalists operate under severe limitations and dangers. At least 116 journalists and media workers have been killed since the war began, further obstructing the dissemination of accurate information about the extent of the devastation.
Challenges in Assessing Damage
The limitations on access within Gaza have hindered comprehensive damage assessment. While international organizations and researchers have strived to document the damage using satellite imagery, the complexity and speed of the destruction have created significant challenges. Traditional methods of satellite image analysis are time-consuming, delaying the dissemination of crucial information that could support immediate relief efforts.
Innovative Mapping Techniques
In response to these difficulties, researchers have employed innovative techniques. Using data from the European Space Agency and NASA, they’ve developed a more efficient method for mapping damage indicators by analyzing radar data, providing faster assessments compared to relying on traditional satellite imagery. This advancement accelerates the identification of critical areas in need of immediate assistance. This rapid data processing allows for quicker responses to evolving humanitarian needs.
Humanitarian Crisis and Displacement
The massive scale of destruction and the ongoing conflict have created a profound humanitarian crisis. The displacement of nearly 90% of Gaza’s population is unparalleled in recent history. People are forced to flee their homes repeatedly, seeking shelter in already overcrowded areas or makeshift camps. The lack of adequate housing, sanitation, and basic necessities has led to worsening living conditions. This massive internal displacement has put incredible strain on existing resources, resulting in severe shortages of food, water, medical supplies and creating ideal conditions for the spread of diseases. The already precarious situation has been exacerbated by the ongoing violence. The relentless bombing and frequent displacement create a cycle of trauma that impacts all aspects of life in Gaza.
The Plight of Internally Displaced Persons
The sheer scale of the internal displacement within Gaza is staggering, with nearly 2 million people facing significant hardships. The situation is further complicated by a chronic lack of resources, leading to severe food insecurity, limited access to clean water and healthcare, and overwhelming strain on already stretched emergency services. This compounding of issues threatens the long-term wellbeing and recovery of the displaced population.
The Challenges of Providing Aid
Delivering aid to the displaced and affected population has proven remarkably challenging given the ongoing hostilities, with consistent access being severely limited due to both security concerns and the extent of damage. The high concentration of displaced people in some areas, especially places designated as humanitarian zones, increases both needs and logistical burdens on aid organizations. These factors contribute to an exceptionally difficult and chaotic environment that is far from conducive to supporting effective aid delivery.
The Destruction of Education and UNWRA’s Struggle
The conflict has had a devastating impact on the educational system in Gaza. The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA), the primary provider of education services for Palestinian refugees, has suffered significant damage to its infrastructure. Two-thirds of UNRWA’s 190 buildings in Gaza have been destroyed or damaged, rendering them unusable. This has caused a catastrophic disruption to education for around 300,000 children who previously received schooling through UNWRA. Many of the remaining schools are now being used as emergency shelters for the displaced, further highlighting the complex challenges confronting the community. The agency, vital to sustaining the daily life of many Gaza residents, has itself suffered casualties and accusations of complicity, which in turn complicated matters even more for these vulnerable groups.
The Future of Education in Gaza
The destruction of schools and the displacement of teachers and students have cast a long shadow on the future of education in Gaza. Rebuilding the educational infrastructure will require substantial resources, alongside the daunting challenge of addressing the emotional and psychological trauma suffered by students and educators. This will be an especially difficult challenge given the present uncertainty surrounding a lasting peace in Gaza, as well as an absence of trust between multiple conflicting parties. With over 70% of UNWRA schools damaged or destroyed, returning to a sense of normalcy is a very distant hope at best. The disruption to education represents a potential long-term loss to human potential that extends far beyond the current emergency crisis.
The Impact on UNWRA Operations
UNWRA, tasked with providing essential services such as education, healthcare, and social assistance to millions of Palestinian refugees, has suffered a significant blow, with two thirds of its facilities damaged or destroyed. The loss of these crucial facilities impairs its capacity to deliver critical services at a time when they are needed more than ever. In addition to this, the organization has had to address various internal conflicts which complicated operations and damaged the morale and effectiveness of UNWRA personnel. These added internal struggles contribute to an already overwhelming set of challenges that faces an already strained group providing life-essential resources to millions.
Takeaways
The Israeli-Hamas war has inflicted catastrophic damage upon Gaza, leaving an indelible mark on its infrastructure and its people. The scale of destruction is unprecedented, resulting in a profound humanitarian crisis with massive casualties, widespread displacement, and the near-total destruction of vital infrastructure, particularly in the fields of housing and education. The ongoing conflict and the difficulty in gaining access hinder assessments of damages while innovative technological approaches have played an increasingly crucial role in analyzing damages and mapping them swiftly. Rebuilding Gaza will require a concerted international effort addressing the long-term physical and emotional trauma faced by the civilian population. The future of Gaza depends heavily on the successful addressing of multiple, interconnected issues including immediate aid, infrastructure reconstruction and education initiatives; many of which, in themselves, present their own immense array of complexities which themselves are made exceptionally more difficult to manage due to continuing hostilities, displacement, and deeply damaged political trust.
