Israel killed at least 254 Palestinians including 66 children 39 women and 17 elderly people during its 11-day aggression on the Gaza Strip. More than 1900 were wounded including 380 children 540 women and 91 elderly.
Government and international sources report that more than 75000 Palestinians were displaced from their homes. Around 50000 are now housed in 58 schools run by the UN Relief and Works Agency for Palestine refugees UNRWA. The rest are lodging with relatives and friends.
In more than 2000 raids using high-tech weaponry and munitions Israel focused on attacking residential buildings government offices and public infrastructure including the electricity water and sewage networks. The cost of the damage is estimated at almost $100 million. Around 17000 housing units were bombed of which 2000 were either totally destroyed or severely damaged. A further 15000 housing units sustained partial damage as a result of Israeli bombs.
At least 75 government buildings and public facilities were targeted by Israel including the police and security agency headquarters. Furthermore at least 68 schools and fifteen hospitals healthcare facilities and primary care clinics were severely or partially damaged. Roads leading to the main hospital in Gaza Al-Shifa Hospital were also targeted making it very difficult for ambulances to take casualties for emergency treatment.
Electricity networks transformers and power lines were damaged as were the main communications networks and internet provision. Even the agricultural sector was not spared with hundreds of square kilometers of prime farmland and crops destroyed and damaged along with stores and farming equipment.
The Geneva-based Euro-Mediterranean Human Rights Monitor has documented evidence that 525 economic establishments in Gaza were destroyed and severely damaged as a result of the Israeli aggression including 50 factories. The total economic cost is put at $40m.
The Ministry of Religious Endowments said that the Israeli raids “completely destroyed three mosques in addition to severe or medium damage to more than 40 mosques and one church.” Six cemeteries in Gaza City were bombed.
Source: MEMO
