"Impact of the Israel-Hamas conflict on the labour market and livelihoods in the Occupied Palestinian Territory"

Key findings from the latest ILO brief on the crisis include:

• The conflict is resulting in a deep humanitarian crisis in Gaza, with huge implications on the labour market, employment prospects and livelihoods, not only within Gaza, but also in the West Bank. Entire neighbourhoods in Gaza have been destroyed, infrastructure has been severely damaged, businesses have closed, large-scale internal displacement has occurred, and the lack of water, food and fuel are severely crippling economic activity.
• Even prior to the current conflict, the situation in Gaza was particularly dire as a result of a 17-year old blockade imposed on the enclave, and Gazans have long grappled with persistently high rates of poverty, unemployment and vulnerability.
• Initial estimates suggest that a minimum of 61 per cent of employment has been lost in Gaza, equivalent to 182,000 jobs. The conflict in Gaza is also having spillover effects in the West Bank, where initial estimates suggest that around 24 per cent of employment has also been lost, equivalent to 208,000 jobs. In total, as of 31 October 2023, around 390,000 jobs have been lost, and these estimates are projected to only worsen if military operations in Gaza intensify.
• Jobs losses in Gaza and the West Bank translate into daily labour income losses of USD 16 million.
• Full, rapid, safe, and unhindered humanitarian access to the population in Gaza is key, and should be complemented with emergency income support measures, including cash and in-kind transfers.