How Israel bombed Gaza’s economy

One objective of Israel’s 11-day bombing campaign in Gaza last month was to further damage the territory’s already depleted economy. During the Israeli attack, more than 250 Palestinians were killed, including at least 67 children. In addition, Israel inflicted material losses of hundreds of millions of dollars, according to initial estimates. “This is destruction,” Muhammad Abu Halima, the director of a factory in Gaza, told The Electronic Intifada. “They destroyed our economy, our families, they’ve ruined the workers, the accountants, the companies, the employees. What did they get out of it?” Israel bombed factories, commercial buildings, stores, farms, restaurants and businesses. More than 500 enterprises were destroyed or damaged, including 50 factories. Israel bombed the Gaza Industrial Estate, a major economic center southeast of Gaza City founded in 1996 with support from the US government, the European Union and the World Bank. Gaza already had one of the world’s highest unemployment rates – m