A new report from the International Labor Organization (ILO) highlights the unprecedented devastation to the Palestinian jobs market and economy beyond Gaza and the West Bank. The Director-General of the ILO, Gilbert Houngbo, stated that the labor market in Gaza has collapsed following recent terror attacks and a relentless war with Israel. Unemployment in the Gaza Strip has reached 79.1%, while the West Bank has also been severely impacted, with almost one in three unemployed. Overall economic output in Gaza has contracted by 83.5% and by 22.7% in the West Bank over the past eight months.
The situation of Workers in the Occupied Arab Territories report reveals that the average rate of unemployment across the two areas of the OPT is 50.8%. However, this figure may be even higher as it does not include individuals who have left the labor force due to a lack of opportunities. The entire OPT economy has shrunk by nearly 33%. The report highlights the dire circumstances facing Palestinian workers, with livelihoods shattered and labor rights decimated. The situation is described as the hardest year for Palestinian workers since 1967.
In related developments, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the delivery of medical relief supplies to Gaza via the southern crossing of Kerem Shalom. These supplies will support the treatment of up to 44,000 people, particularly those with noncommunicable diseases such as hypertension, diabetes, and chronic respiratory conditions. However, more relief is urgently needed through the still-closed Rafah crossing. The WHO also reported 464 attacks on healthcare in the Gaza Strip since October, resulting in fatalities, injuries, and damage to health facilities and ambulances.
The WHO’s calls for the respect of international law and the protection of civilians and healthcare workers in Gaza. In Rafah, fewer than 100,000 people remain across the southern border, facing ongoing challenges and threats to their health and well-being. The situation in Gaza remains dire, with the economy contracting sharply, high levels of unemployment, and significant obstacles to accessing essential healthcare services. International support and assistance are crucial to addressing the urgent needs of the population in Gaza and the wider Palestinian territories.
The ongoing conflict and instability in the region have had severe consequences for the Palestinian economy and the livelihoods of its people. The ILO report underscores the urgent need for immediate action to address the humanitarian and economic crisis in Gaza and the West Bank. Efforts to provide essential relief supplies, protect healthcare facilities and workers, and support the Palestinian workforce are vital in alleviating the suffering and rebuilding the shattered economy. The international community must prioritize the needs of the Palestinian people and work towards a sustainable and peaceful resolution to the conflict in the region.
