One year of genocide in Gaza: Over 41,000 Palestinians killed in Israeli attacks

Today, October 7, 2024, marks one year since Israel began its offensive in Gaza killing more than 41,000 Palestinians in the genocide. The Gaza lies in ruins, with rubble replacing buildings and sewage-contaminated water spreading disease. the majority of the victims are women and children and the destruction is widespread, with no clear plan for rebuilding, leaving the future uncertain.

Hundreds of thousands remain displaced, many living in tent camps. Experts believe reconstruction could take decades. According to a UN assessment, a quarter of Gaza’s buildings have been destroyed or severely damaged, and around 66% have sustained some form of damage, AP reported.

In comparison to Ukraine, the destruction in Gaza rivals that of front-line towns. Most of Gaza’s water and sanitation systems have collapsed, with over 80% of health facilities damaged or destroyed. The World Bank’s January estimate pegged damages at $18.5 billion, a figure that has likely grown following Israeli ground operations.

Gaza’s reconstruction faces massive hurdles, with mountains of debris and limited access to resources due to Israeli restrictions. Unemployment has soared to 80%, and nearly all of Gaza’s population lives in poverty. Even if the fighting stops, many families have no homes to return to, and rebuilding could take 40 years under current conditions.