Israeli military operations in the Gaza Strip have caused damage to “critical infrastructure” (including housing) estimated at 17.2 billion euros, according to a report published Tuesday April 2. This amount, resulting from a study carried out jointly by the World Bank, the United Nations and the European Union, is the first estimate of the effects of the bombings and ground fighting carried out over the past six months, but does not take into account subsequent destruction. at the end of January. The sum corresponds to the equivalent of 97% of the annual GDP of all the occupied Palestinian territories. Follow our live stream.
Seven humanitarian workers killed. The victims were Australian, British, Polish, Canadian-American and Palestinian, according to World Central Kitchen, which delivers food to the Gaza Strip. “This is completely unacceptable. Australia demands accountability for all those responsible for the deaths of aid workers”said the country’s Prime Minister, Anthony Albanese. “Our forces unintentionally hit innocent people in Gaza”, confirmed Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu. Israeli Head of State Isaac Herzog announced in the evening in a press release “his deep sadness and his sincere apologies”.
Several NGOs are putting their activities on hold. After this tragedy, World Central Kitchen announced the suspension of its activities in the region. It was to distribute the humanitarian aid arrived by boat from Cyprus on Monday, two thirds of which had not yet been unloaded (i.e. 200 tonnes) “will be brought back” at the port of Larnaca, explain to Guardian the spokesperson for the Cypriot Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The NGO Anera announces that it is also leaving the enclave: “Delivering aid safely is no longer feasible”regrets the organization in a press release.
An upwardly revised assessment. The Gaza Health Ministry, administered by Hamas, announced a new toll of 32,916 people killed in the Gaza Strip since the start of the Israeli military operation in response to the October 7 attacks in Israel. In twenty-four hours, 71 additional deaths were recorded. In the north of the enclave, medical teams search the rubble of the al-Chifa hospital to extract wounded and corpses after the withdrawal of the Israeli army.