Hours after U.S. CIA Director William Burns arrived in the Egyptian capital, Hamas announced on Friday that it was sending a delegation to Cairo to negotiate a truce and the release of captives in Gaza, according to Egyptian sources.

Hamas, CIA Director to hold talks in Cairo, negotiators push for ceasefire in Gaza war

Israel-Hamas war: More than 2,000 people, including students, have been arrested on campuses across the United States, as of Friday (May 3) in pro-Palestinian protests over the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.&nbsp;

These demonstrations are no longer limited to the US with people and students across the world taking to university campuses, setting up encampments and showing up in large numbers to protest the war in Gaza.&nbsp;

Indians travelling to Iran, Israel asked to&nbsp;'remain vigilant'

Indians travelling to Iran and Israel&nbsp;should "remain vigilant and be in touch with Indian embassies," said&nbsp;Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson&nbsp;Randhir Jaiswal, on Friday.&nbsp;

"We continue to closely monitor the situation in the region. We have also noted that Iran and Israel have opened their airspace for several days now. We advise Indian nationals to remain vigilant while traveling to these countries and be in touch with the Indian Embassy," said the MEA spokesperson while responding to a question by the media.&nbsp;

This comes after the&nbsp;MEA, on April 12, asked&nbsp;Indian citizens not to travel to Israel and Iran "till further notice".&nbsp;

<h2>US 'temporarily paused' work on&nbsp;Gaza pier</h2>

The United States&nbsp;Central Command (CENTCOM) said soldiers “temporarily paused” the work on the&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/temporary-gaza-pier-to-boost-aid-deliveries-will-cost-us-at-least-320mn-716396">temporary pier</a> to boost aid deliveries to Gaza amid&nbsp;unsafe sea conditions,&nbsp;on Thursday.&nbsp;

"The partially built pier and military vessels involved in its construction have moved to the Port of Ashdod, where assembly will continue, and will be completed prior to the emplacement of the pier in its intended location when sea states subside," said the CENTCOM in a statement, on Friday.&nbsp;

The&nbsp;pier will allow "the delivery of large quantities of humanitarian aid from ship to shore by truck, with vehicles driving directly off ships and across the temporary pier to a marshaling yard ashore," it added.&nbsp;

<h2>Israel to give Hamas a week for ceasefire deal</h2>

Israel has given Hamas one week to agree to the latest deal&nbsp;or warned that it will launch its&nbsp;offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal.&nbsp;

The deal brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar would see the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for a six-week halt in fighting.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/pro-palestinian-protests-ucla-faculty-joins-ongoing-protests-on-campus-717530">Over 2,100 arrests made in pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses</a>

The report does not mention when the ultimatum was given but cites&nbsp;Egyptian officials speaking, on Friday, suggesting that Hamas will have until next week to answer.&nbsp;

The report comes after&nbsp;Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Tuesday (Apr 30) <a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/israeli-forces-will-enter-rafah-with-or-without-gaza-hostage-deal-says-netanyahu-716734">said</a> Israel will carry out an operation in&nbsp;Rafah regardless of whether a ceasefire and hostage release deal is reached.

<h2>'Far too many' journalists killed in Gaza: Biden</h2>

United States President Joe Biden in a statement for&nbsp;World Press Freedom Day, said "far too many"&nbsp;journalists have been killed amid the ongoing war in Gaza.&nbsp;

"On World Press Freedom Day, we honor the bravery and sacrifice of journalists and media workers around the world risking everything in pursuit of truth," said Biden.&nbsp;

He added, "This is especially resonant today; 2023 was one of the deadliest years for journalists in recent memory. One reason for that is the war in Gaza, where far too many journalists, the vast majority of them Palestinian, have been killed."

<h2>Turkey halts trade with Israel&nbsp;</h2>

Turkey, on Friday, said that it will not resume the more than $7 billion&nbsp;trade with Israel until&nbsp;a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid are secured in Gaza.&nbsp;

Israel's "uncompromising attitude" and the worsening situation in&nbsp;Rafah - which Israel has threatened to invade - has prompted Ankara to&nbsp;halt all exports and imports, said Turkey's&nbsp;Trade Minister Omer Bolat.

"We decided to stop exports and imports to and from Israel until a permanent ceasefire is achieved (in Gaza) and humanitarian aid is allowed without interruption," said&nbsp;Bolat.&nbsp;

<h2>Campus protests across the world</h2>

United States

More than 2,000 people have been arrested from dozens of US college campuses in recent weeks, amid the ongoing pro-Palestinian protests, according to a tally by the Associated Press.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Paris: Police raid University students&nbsp;

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/paris-police-raid-university-students-kenya-floods-death-toll-crosses-200-717744/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The police arrested more than 300 protesters on college campuses on Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Around 210 were arrested from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA).&nbsp;

The&nbsp;police, on Thursday (May 2) crackdown on defiant pro-Palestinian protesters at several colleges with UCLA witnessing particularly<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-move-in-to-dismantle-ucla-gaza-protest-barricades-717374"> jarring scenes.</a>&nbsp;

France&nbsp;

On Friday, the police in Paris entered France’s prestigious Sciences Po university to remove pro-Palestinian protesters who had occupied the college’s buildings.&nbsp;

A Reuters witness saw police enter the buildings and bring out many of the 70-odd protesters inside. Unlike the US, protests on the French campus have been peaceful, with Sciences Po being the epicentre due to the university’s ties with Israel.&nbsp;

A spokesperson for the university, ahead of the police action, told Reuters that they were seeking to negotiate and “end the standoff”.

Sciences Po’s director Jean Basseres, on Thursday, rejected protesters’ demand to review its ties with Israeli universities.&nbsp;

Jack, one of the students who spent Thursday night occupying one of the main buildings on the campus in central Paris, told Reuters, on Friday morning that protesters had rejected the ultimatum to clear large parts of the building and restrict their movement to a determined smaller area.

Australia

Hundreds of people protesting the ongoing war in Gaza rallied at one of Australia’s top universities on Friday and demanded that it divest from companies with ties to Israel.&nbsp;

Last week, protesters set up encampments near the University of Sydney’s sandstone main hall. Similar protests have sprung up at universities in Melbourne, Canberra and other Australian cities.

The University of Sydney also witnessed dozens of counter-protesters carrying Australian and Israeli flags who had gathered to&nbsp;hear speakers talk about how the pro-Palestinian protests made Jewish students and staff feel unsafe on campus, reported Reuters. The two groups were separated by lines of security guards.&nbsp;

University of Sydney vice-chancellor Mark Scott said that the encampment on campus has been allowed since there has been no violence.&nbsp;

Canada

Top Canadian universities including the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, the University of Ottawa, and Montreal’s McGill University have also witnessed similar pro-Palestinian protests and set up encampments.&nbsp;

Quebec Premier Francois Legault said that the encampment set up at McGill should be dismantled. The university had requested police intervention, but law enforcement did not clear the encampment and said it was monitoring the situation.&nbsp;

The students at Canadian universities have called on their colleges to disclose investments and divest from any which helps Israel, asking them to end partnerships with some Israeli institutes.&nbsp;

Mexico

Dozens of students at Mexico’s largest university, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), set up an encampment, on Thursday.&nbsp;The students have called on the Mexican government to break diplomatic and commercial ties with Israel.

United Kingdom

Some of the most prominent universities in the United Kingdom have joined the protests&nbsp;against the war in Gaza.&nbsp;Pro-Palestinian protesters in cities like&nbsp;Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds have set up camp outside university buildings.&nbsp;

Ireland

Trinity College Dublin (TCD), one of the top universities in Ireland, fined its students’ union $230,979 over holding protests, including those against the war in Gaza.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/police-move-in-to-dismantle-ucla-gaza-protest-barricades-717374">Police tear down barricades at UCLA protest encampment</a>&nbsp;

The students on the campus have been protesting against the university’s response to the war in Gaza and proposed course fee hikes and increased accommodation costs.&nbsp;

<h2>Houthis offer education to US students</h2>

Yemen-based Iranian-backed militant group Houthi said that it will offer education to students suspended from US universities for anti-Israel protests, reported Reuters, on Friday.&nbsp;

“We are serious about welcoming students that have been suspended from U.S. universities for supporting Palestinians,” an official at Sanaa University, which is run by the Houthis, told the news agency.&nbsp;

“We are fighting this battle with Palestine in every way we can,” the official added. This comes as several universities in the US have threatened to suspend students over the pro-Palestinian student protests.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: More than 2,000 people, including students, have been arrested on campuses across the United States, as of Friday (May 3) in pro-Palestinian protests over the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza.

Israel-Hamas war: More than 2,000 people, including students, have been arrested on campuses across the United States, as of Friday (May 3) in pro-Palestinian protests over the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza. These demonstrations are no longer limited to the US with people and students across the world taking to university campuses, setting up encampments and showing up in large numbers to protest the war in Gaza. Indians travelling to Iran, Israel asked to 'remain vigilant' Indians travelling to Iran and Israel should "remain vigilant and be in touch with Indian embassies," said Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) spokesperson Randhir Jaiswal, on Friday. "We continue to closely monitor the situation in the region. We have also noted that Iran and Israel have opened their airspace for several days now. We advise Indian nationals to remain vigilant while traveling to these countries and be in touch with the Indian Embassy," said the MEA spokesperson while responding to a question by the media. This comes after the MEA, on April 12, asked Indian citizens not to travel to Israel and Iran "till further notice". US 'temporarily paused' work on Gaza pier The United States Central Command (CENTCOM) said soldiers “temporarily paused” the work on the temporary pier to boost aid deliveries to Gaza amid unsafe sea conditions, on Thursday. "The partially built pier and military vessels involved in its construction have moved to the Port of Ashdod, where assembly will continue, and will be completed prior to the emplacement of the pier in its intended location when sea states subside," said the CENTCOM in a statement, on Friday. The pier will allow "the delivery of large quantities of humanitarian aid from ship to shore by truck, with vehicles driving directly off ships and across the temporary pier to a marshaling yard ashore," it added. Israel to give Hamas a week for ceasefire deal Israel has given Hamas one week to agree to the latest deal or warned that it will launch its offensive in Gaza’s southernmost city of Rafah, according to a report by the Wall Street Journal. The deal brokered by the US, Egypt and Qatar would see the release of dozens of hostages in exchange for a six-week halt in fighting. Also Read | Over 2,100 arrests made in pro-Palestinian protests on US campuses The report does not mention when the ultimatum was given but cites Egyptian officials speaking, on Friday, suggesting that Hamas will have until next week to answer. The report comes after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu, on Tuesday (Apr 30) said Israel will carry out an operation in Rafah regardless of whether a ceasefire and hostage release deal is reached. 'Far too many' journalists killed in Gaza: Biden United States President Joe Biden in a statement for World Press Freedom Day, said "far too many" journalists have been killed amid the ongoing war in Gaza. "On World Press Freedom Day, we honor the bravery and sacrifice of journalists and media workers around the world risking everything in pursuit of truth," said Biden. He added, "This is especially resonant today; 2023 was one of the deadliest years for journalists in recent memory. One reason for that is the war in Gaza, where far too many journalists, the vast majority of them Palestinian, have been killed." Turkey halts trade with Israel Turkey, on Friday, said that it will not resume the more than $7 billion trade with Israel until a permanent ceasefire and humanitarian aid are secured in Gaza. Israel's "uncompromising attitude" and the worsening situation in Rafah - which Israel has threatened to invade - has prompted Ankara to halt all exports and imports, said Turkey's Trade Minister Omer Bolat. "We decided to stop exports and imports to and from Israel until a permanent ceasefire is achieved (in Gaza) and humanitarian aid is allowed without interruption," said Bolat. Campus protests across the world United States More than 2,000 people have been arrested from dozens of US college campuses in recent weeks, amid the ongoing pro-Palestinian protests, according to a tally by the Associated Press. WATCH | Paris: Police raid University students The police arrested more than 300 protesters on college campuses on Wednesday night into Thursday morning. Around 210 were arrested from the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA). The police, on Thursday (May 2) crackdown on defiant pro-Palestinian protesters at several colleges with UCLA witnessing particularly jarring scenes. France On Friday, the police in Paris entered France’s prestigious Sciences Po university to remove pro-Palestinian protesters who had occupied the college’s buildings. A Reuters witness saw police enter the buildings and bring out many of the 70-odd protesters inside. Unlike the US, protests on the French campus have been peaceful, with Sciences Po being the epicentre due to the university’s ties with Israel. A spokesperson for the university, ahead of the police action, told Reuters that they were seeking to negotiate and “end the standoff”. Sciences Po’s director Jean Basseres, on Thursday, rejected protesters’ demand to review its ties with Israeli universities. Jack, one of the students who spent Thursday night occupying one of the main buildings on the campus in central Paris, told Reuters, on Friday morning that protesters had rejected the ultimatum to clear large parts of the building and restrict their movement to a determined smaller area. Australia Hundreds of people protesting the ongoing war in Gaza rallied at one of Australia’s top universities on Friday and demanded that it divest from companies with ties to Israel. Last week, protesters set up encampments near the University of Sydney’s sandstone main hall. Similar protests have sprung up at universities in Melbourne, Canberra and other Australian cities. The University of Sydney also witnessed dozens of counter-protesters carrying Australian and Israeli flags who had gathered to hear speakers talk about how the pro-Palestinian protests made Jewish students and staff feel unsafe on campus, reported Reuters. The two groups were separated by lines of security guards. University of Sydney vice-chancellor Mark Scott said that the encampment on campus has been allowed since there has been no violence. Canada Top Canadian universities including the University of Toronto, the University of British Columbia in Vancouver, the University of Ottawa, and Montreal’s McGill University have also witnessed similar pro-Palestinian protests and set up encampments. Quebec Premier Francois Legault said that the encampment set up at McGill should be dismantled. The university had requested police intervention, but law enforcement did not clear the encampment and said it was monitoring the situation. The students at Canadian universities have called on their colleges to disclose investments and divest from any which helps Israel, asking them to end partnerships with some Israeli institutes. Mexico Dozens of students at Mexico’s largest university, the National Autonomous University of Mexico (UNAM), set up an encampment, on Thursday. The students have called on the Mexican government to break diplomatic and commercial ties with Israel. United Kingdom Some of the most prominent universities in the United Kingdom have joined the protests against the war in Gaza. Pro-Palestinian protesters in cities like Manchester, Newcastle and Leeds have set up camp outside university buildings. Ireland Trinity College Dublin (TCD), one of the top universities in Ireland, fined its students’ union $230,979 over holding protests, including those against the war in Gaza. Also Read | Police tear down barricades at UCLA protest encampment The students on the campus have been protesting against the university’s response to the war in Gaza and proposed course fee hikes and increased accommodation costs. Houthis offer education to US students Yemen-based Iranian-backed militant group Houthi said that it will offer education to students suspended from US universities for anti-Israel protests, reported Reuters, on Friday. “We are serious about welcoming students that have been suspended from U.S. universities for supporting Palestinians,” an official at Sanaa University, which is run by the Houthis, told the news agency. “We are fighting this battle with Palestine in every way we can,” the official added. This comes as several universities in the US have threatened to suspend students over the pro-Palestinian student protests. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel gives Hamas a week to choose between ceasefire deal or Rafah offensive: Report

Israel war cabinet meet is underway to discuss “the next steps in negotiations to achieve a hostage deal”. Earlier this week, prime minister Benjamin Netanyahu said Israel would launch a ground operation in Rafah regardless of whether there was a deal or not. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Israel war cabinet discusses truce plan, Rafah offensive

On World Press Freedom Day, we ask where does press freedom go during war? Over 100 journalists have been killed during Israel's attack on Gaza. Several others have been injured or have gone missing. Experts say that this conflict has turned out to be the deadliest for journalists and media workers. Why is no one holding the killers of journalists accountable?

Gravitas | Gaza War 'Deadliest' for Journalists, Over 100 Killed in 6 Months

Lebanon's financial crisis, spiralling since 2019, has reached a critical juncture. The European union has stepped in with over $1 billion in aid to support the country's faltering economy and bolster basic services like healthcare and education.

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Bilateral trade between Israel and Turkey has come under crossfire of the Gaza conflict. Sources say that Turkey has suspended all trade with Israel, as President Recep Tayyip Erdogan steps up criticism of the Jewish state.

Israel downplays move, says will create alternatives

The Israel-Hamas war in Gaza has shrunk Palestine's economy by nearly 27 percent. That's the latest assessment by the united nations development programme.

Israel-Hamas war: War in Gaza shrinks Palestine's economy by nearly 27% : Report

Houthis have been attacking commercial vessels in the red sea, the major trade route. However, the rebels' fresh attack on a Portuguese vessel has raised questions about their capabilities. In Yemen pro-Palestinian protesters thank US Campus students for their anti-war protests.

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Israeli tanks are stationed outside Gaza border. Benjamin Netanyahu has given the Hamas group, one last chance to consider a truce deal. Global leaders have warned Israel that the Rafah invasion would be a grave mistake.

Israel's last shot at peace deal

Hamas says it is reviewing a cease-fire plan in Gaza put forth by Israel. A majority of younger voters in this U.S. presidential election say they wish they had someone other than Joe Biden or Donald Trump to choose from.

Hopes for another hostage deal | US: Who are the young voters backing?

The assumption among the Israeli leadership is that Hamas will formally reject the most recent offer for a hostage and truce agreement, an Israeli official informed a media agency as the war cabinet met on Thursday night. Watch to know more.

Israel war: Top Israeli ministers huddle over Rafah

Israel appears to be moving ahead with its planned operation in the southern Gaza City of Rafah despite the international outcry and condemnation over fierce for the 1.5 million Palestinian civilians who are sheltering there. What about Gaza that lies in complete ruins? Our report documents the month-by-month destruction of the besieged occupied Palestinian strip as seen in some fresh satellite images. Watch in for more details!

Israel war: Gaza destruction impossible to even process; Who will rebuild Gaza?

Hamas chief Ismail Haniyeh said on Thursday the Palestinian group was studying a proposal for a truce in the nearly seven-month war raging in Gaza with a "positive spirit". Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Hamas says studying Gaza truce proposal 'in positive spirit'

Israel-Hamas War: Hamas considering latest Gaza truce offer in 'positive spirit'

Families of hostages still hope for Gaza truce and hostage deal between Israel and Hamas. Listen in!

Israel-Hamas War: Family appeals for release of hostage kids

Israel-Hamas war: Israel confirms death of hostages held in Gaza

Israel war | Harrowing stories of unending wait: Kin of Bibas family narrates ordeal

Even if the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza&nbsp;was to end today, it would take until 2040 to rebuild all the homes that have been destroyed so far, said the United Nations in a report, on Thursday (May 2).&nbsp;

<h2>Around 16 years to rebuild&nbsp;homes in Gaza: UN</h2>

With nearly seven months of Israel’s bombardment and ground offensives in Gaza, images and videos show most of the Palestinian enclave turned to rubble. The&nbsp;rebuilding of Gaza would also cost around $30 billion to $40 billion and require an effort on a scale the world has not seen since World War II, said a UN official.&nbsp;

WATCH |&nbsp;Over 16,000 academics condemn Israel's scholasticide in Gaza

<div class="videoWrapper trancodeVideo"><iframe allowfullscreen="" autoplay="1" class="includeVideo" frameborder="0" height="350" src="https://www.wionews.com/videos/israel-hamas-war-over-16000-academics-condemn-israels-scholasticide-in-gaza-717429/embed" style="width:100%;max-width:560px;" width="560"></iframe></div>

The report by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) details the damage to Gaza’s infrastructure and the socio-economic impact since the beginning of the war triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel.&nbsp;

It also estimates the impact of the war at six months, with estimates of what would happen if the war were to continue. “Every additional day that this war continues is exacting huge and compounding costs to Gazans and all Palestinians,” said UNDP administrator Achim Steiner.

According to the report at least 370,000 housing units in Gaza have been damaged, including 79,000 destroyed completely. The rate of housing after the previous Israel-Hamas conflicts was 992 units per year.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/world/bogota-severs-diplomatic-ties-with-israel-over-genocidal-gaza-campaign-israel-dubs-move-anti-semitic-717189">Bogota severs diplomatic ties with Israel over 'genocidal' Gaza campaign</a>

The report noted that even if Israel allows a five-fold increase of construction material to enter the blockaded Palestinian enclave, it would take until 2040 to rebuild destroyed houses, without fixing the damaged ones.

<h2>Cost of rebuilding and impact on economy</h2>

The UNDP estimates the cost of reconstruction of Gaza to surpass $30 billion and could reach up to $40 billion, said UN Assistant Secretary-General Abdallah al-Dardari, as per AFP.&nbsp;

“The scale of the destruction is huge and unprecedented...this is a mission that the global community has not dealt with since World War II,” he added.&nbsp;

According to the UNDP report, the Israeli offensive has virtually shut down the economy in Gaza which around 81 per cent in the last quarter of 2023. The “productive basis of the economy has been destroyed,” with sectors experiencing losses of more than 90 per cent, the report noted.&nbsp;

Also Read |&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/business-economy/us-unleashes-wave-of-sanctions-targets-russian-circumvention-via-china-717249">US unleashes wave of sanctions, targets Russian circumvention via Chinese companies</a>

If the war were to continue for nine months, according to the UNDP projections, the poverty is estimated to more than double with over&nbsp;1.86 million being pushed into poverty.

In 2024, the Palestinian economy – which includes both Gaza and the West Bank – contracted nearly 26 per cent and if the war continues until July, that number would reach 29 per cent with the estimated losses of $7.6 billion, according to the report.&nbsp;

“Unprecedented levels of human losses, capital destruction, and the steep rise in poverty in such a short period of time will precipitate a serious development crisis that jeopardizes the future of generations to come,” said Steiner.&nbsp;

Gaza, which is home to around 2.3 million people, has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt since Hamas’ 2007 takeover with strict control on what enters and exits the territory.&nbsp;

(With inputs from agencies) 
&nbsp;

Even if the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza was to end today, it would take until 2040 to rebuild all the homes that have been destroyed so far, said the United Nations in a report, on Thursday (May 2).

Even if the ongoing war between Israel and the Palestinian militant group Hamas in Gaza was to end today, it would take until 2040 to rebuild all the homes that have been destroyed so far, said the United Nations in a report, on Thursday (May 2). Around 16 years to rebuild homes in Gaza: UN With nearly seven months of Israel’s bombardment and ground offensives in Gaza, images and videos show most of the Palestinian enclave turned to rubble. The rebuilding of Gaza would also cost around $30 billion to $40 billion and require an effort on a scale the world has not seen since World War II, said a UN official. WATCH | Over 16,000 academics condemn Israel's scholasticide in Gaza The report by the UN Development Programme (UNDP) and Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia (ESCWA) details the damage to Gaza’s infrastructure and the socio-economic impact since the beginning of the war triggered by Hamas’ October 7 attack on southern Israel. It also estimates the impact of the war at six months, with estimates of what would happen if the war were to continue. “Every additional day that this war continues is exacting huge and compounding costs to Gazans and all Palestinians,” said UNDP administrator Achim Steiner. According to the report at least 370,000 housing units in Gaza have been damaged, including 79,000 destroyed completely. The rate of housing after the previous Israel-Hamas conflicts was 992 units per year. Also Read | Bogota severs diplomatic ties with Israel over 'genocidal' Gaza campaign The report noted that even if Israel allows a five-fold increase of construction material to enter the blockaded Palestinian enclave, it would take until 2040 to rebuild destroyed houses, without fixing the damaged ones. Cost of rebuilding and impact on economy The UNDP estimates the cost of reconstruction of Gaza to surpass $30 billion and could reach up to $40 billion, said UN Assistant Secretary-General Abdallah al-Dardari, as per AFP. “The scale of the destruction is huge and unprecedented...this is a mission that the global community has not dealt with since World War II,” he added. According to the UNDP report, the Israeli offensive has virtually shut down the economy in Gaza which around 81 per cent in the last quarter of 2023. The “productive basis of the economy has been destroyed,” with sectors experiencing losses of more than 90 per cent, the report noted. Also Read | US unleashes wave of sanctions, targets Russian circumvention via Chinese companies If the war were to continue for nine months, according to the UNDP projections, the poverty is estimated to more than double with over 1.86 million being pushed into poverty. In 2024, the Palestinian economy – which includes both Gaza and the West Bank – contracted nearly 26 per cent and if the war continues until July, that number would reach 29 per cent with the estimated losses of $7.6 billion, according to the report. “Unprecedented levels of human losses, capital destruction, and the steep rise in poverty in such a short period of time will precipitate a serious development crisis that jeopardizes the future of generations to come,” said Steiner. Gaza, which is home to around 2.3 million people, has been blockaded by Israel and Egypt since Hamas’ 2007 takeover with strict control on what enters and exits the territory. (With inputs from agencies)

Israel-Hamas war: Rebuilding all homes destroyed in Gaza would take at least 16 years, says UN

In response to a hostage negotiation, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken was informed by Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu that he would not accept an end to the Gaza War. Watch to know more.

Israel war: US Democrats press Biden to prevent Israeli assault on Rafah

Top US diplomat Antony Blinken urged Hamas to accept a truce in the Gaza Strip on Wednesday, after Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu vowed to send troops into its far southern city of Rafah. Watch in for more details!

Israel-Hamas War: Netanyahu tells Blinken he will not agree to end war on Hamas

Israel-Hamas War: Hope for Gaza truce and hostage deal

India has voiced hope for Palestine’s bid to join the United Nations. What did India’s permanent representative to the UN say? Watch on #gravitasquoteunquote.

Gravitas | India: Palestine's appeal to join UN should be reconsidered

Israel-Hamas War: Israel war cabinet meet underway on hostages, Rafah plan

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