The report, which was released on Tuesday, estimates the damages to be approximately $18.5 billion, equivalent to 97 percent of the combined GDP of the occupied West Bank and Gaza in 2022.

Describing the level of destruction as unprecedented, the Interim Damage Assessment Note highlights that the ongoing conflict has ravaged approximately 62 percent of all homes in Gaza, leaving over a million people homeless. Housing accounts for the majority of the damage costs, totaling an estimated $13.3 billion.

Public service infrastructure, including water, health, and education facilities, has also suffered significant losses, accounting for 19 percent of the damages. The report indicates that the energy, water, and municipal sectors alone have incurred nearly $800 million in damages.

The dire situation has severely impacted access to healthcare, with 84 percent of health facilities damaged or destroyed, leaving the population with minimal access to medical services. Similarly, the education system has collapsed, with all 625,000 students out of school.

The report also highlights the staggering amount of debris and rubble left behind, estimated at 26 million metric tons, which will take years to clear.

The assessment, supported by the European Union, utilized remote data collection sources and analytics to provide a preliminary estimate of damages. However, the organizations caution that these findings are likely an underestimate and call for further analysis as the situation evolves.

In response to the report, calls have been made for increased humanitarian assistance, food aid, and the provision of shelter and housing solutions for displaced individuals. Essential services are also urgently needed to address the humanitarian crisis unfolding in Gaza. (ILKHA)