International News
Gaza’s Unemployment Rate Hits 80% As Economy Plummets By 85% Amid Ongoing Conflict
The International Labour Organization (ILO) has reported a staggering rise in unemployment in Gaza, which has soared to nearly 80% since the outbreak of the Israel-Hamas war one year ago.
The ILO’s findings reveal a catastrophic economic landscape, with the enclave’s economic output collapsing by 85%, plunging almost the entire population of 2.3 million into poverty.
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In a statement released Thursday, the ILO characterized the situation as causing “unprecedented and wide-ranging devastation” across the labor market and broader economy of the Occupied Palestinian Territory, including both Gaza and the West Bank.
In the West Bank, unemployment averaged 34.9% between October 2023 and September 2024, with the region’s economy contracting by 21.7% compared to the previous year.
Before the onset of the conflict, unemployment rates were significantly lower, with Gaza at 45.3% and the West Bank at 14%.
However, as the war has continued, many Gazans have lost their jobs or been forced into informal, irregular work that primarily involves providing essential goods and services.
The conflict ignited on October 7, 2023, when Hamas militants launched an attack on Israel, resulting in approximately 1,200 Israeli deaths and around 250 hostages taken.
In response, Israel’s military operations have reportedly claimed the lives of more than 42,000 individuals in Gaza, according to local health authorities.
U.N. satellite data indicates that two-thirds of Gaza’s pre-war structures—over 163,000 buildings—have been damaged or destroyed.
Israel has stated that its military actions are focused on rooting out Hamas militants hiding among Gaza’s civilian population.
However, the consequences of the conflict have reverberated throughout the West Bank, where movement restrictions and trade barriers have severely impacted the economy.
“The impact of the war in the Gaza Strip has taken a toll far beyond loss of life, desperate humanitarian conditions, and physical destruction,” said Ruba Jaradat, ILO regional director for Arab states.
She emphasized that the conflict has fundamentally altered the socio-economic landscape of Gaza and the West Bank, with effects expected to persist for generations.
As the humanitarian crisis deepens, the need for international intervention and aid is becoming increasingly urgent, with calls mounting for immediate assistance to address the dire conditions faced by millions caught in the conflict.
The United Kingdom is considering sweeping new restrictions that could limit or completely block children under the age of 16 from accessing social media platforms, as part of a broader push to improve online safety and reduce excessive screen time among young users.
The proposal, currently under government consultation, is being led by Prime Minister Keir Starmer and focuses on addressing concerns over how teenagers interact with platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
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Officials say the move is driven by growing evidence and public concern that algorithm-driven feeds and “endless scrolling” features may be negatively affecting children’s sleep patterns, concentration levels, and overall well-being.
The government is also reviewing whether additional measures such as app curfews and time limits should be introduced.
Technology Secretary Liz Kendall said the consultation has already attracted widespread public input, with tens of thousands of responses from parents, teenagers, and advocacy groups.
She noted that the government is particularly interested in feedback on addictive platform design features and the use of AI tools targeting younger users.
The UK is also studying policies already implemented in other countries. Australia has introduced stricter age-based restrictions, while Greece and Indonesia have also moved toward tighter regulation of children’s access to social media.
Authorities emphasize that no final decision has been made, but the consultation process is expected to shape future legislation on how tech companies operate and how young users are protected online in the digital age.
U.S. President Donald Trump has sparked global reactions following his remarks about Pope Leo XIV after the Pope’s recent anti-war message calling for peace in conflict-hit regions.
The controversy began after Pope Leo XIV delivered a strong appeal at the Vatican, urging world leaders to end ongoing wars and prioritise dialogue over violenceviolence.
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The pontiff warned against the “idolatry of power” and called for global cooperation to restore peace.
Reacting to the message, Trump told reporters he is “not a big fan” of Pope Leo XIV, describing him as “very liberal” and questioning his views on crime and international security.
The U.S. President further criticised the Pope’s stance on global conflicts, suggesting his message overlooks serious security challenges linked to rising geopolitical tensions, including nuclear concerns.
In a follow-up post on Truth Social, Trump intensified his criticism, accusing the Pope of taking a weak position on foreign policy matters and suggesting political factors influenced his leadership position.
The comments have since triggered widespread debate across political and religious circles, adding to ongoing tensions between Washington and the Vatican over issues such as immigration policy, military action, and global diplomacy.
While both sides have previously denied any formal rift, the latest exchange has renewed global attention on their differing positions regarding war and peace efforts.
The Israeli military said on Thursday that Mohammed Wishah, an Al Jazeera journalist killed in a strike in Gaza on Wednesday, was a Hamas operative “operating under the guise of a journalist.”
According to Israeli forces, Wishah was “a key terrorist in Hamas’ rocket and weapons production headquarters” and had been planning attacks against soldiers in the area.
The military said he used his journalist identity to advance Hamas’ operations against Israel.
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Al Jazeera, the Qatar-based broadcaster, strongly condemned the killing. In a statement, the network described the attack as a “heinous crime of targeting and killing” its correspondent and insisted the strike was deliberate, not accidental.
The channel vowed to pursue “all necessary legal action to prosecute those responsible for the killing of its correspondents and staff in Gaza.”
Media rights organization Reporters Without Borders also condemned the incident, stating that Wishah’s name now joins “more than 220 journalists killed in two and a half years by Israeli forces in Gaza, at least 70 of whom were killed while performing their duties.”
The killing occurred despite a US-backed ceasefire in Gaza that has been in effect since October 2025, highlighting ongoing tensions and frequent accusations of truce violations by both Israel and Hamas.
Al Jazeera listed Wishah among 11 of its journalists killed in Gaza since the October 7, 2023, Hamas attack on southern Israel that triggered the Gaza war.
Past incidents include the killing of Mohammad Salama in August 2025 and the deaths of four Al Jazeera staff and two freelancers outside Al-Shifa hospital in Gaza City earlier that year, prompting widespread condemnation.
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