UN official says Gaza economy shrank 84% as settlement plans advanced

Gaza’s economic output in 2025 was 84% below its 2023 level, Youssef Chaitani of the UN Economic and Social Commission for Western Asia told a General Assembly committee on 16 October. Presenting a report on the effects of Israeli occupation, he also warned of extensive displacement in Gaza and advancing Israeli settlement plans. The report covers 1 April 2025 to 31 March 2026, so its figures should not be read as an assessment of conditions on the day of the meeting. [1] [2]

Chaitani said Gaza’s human development had been set back by 77 years. Nearly 1.9 million people — about 90% of its population — had been repeatedly displaced and depended almost entirely on humanitarian assistance, he said. He called for aid to reach people safely and without obstruction. [1] [2]

On settlements, Chaitani cited plans advanced or approved for about 10,000 housing units in East Jerusalem and more than 26,000 in Area C of the West Bank. Those figures concern planned units, not completed homes. His presentation also addressed settlement activity in the occupied Syrian Golan. [1] [2]

Israel’s representative challenged the report’s framing, saying it failed to explain what had happened about three years earlier and claiming that Hamas was not mentioned. Chaitani replied that the report focused on socioeconomic consequences. [1] [2]