After 5 months of war

Hamas estimates damage at 30 billion dollars

Palestinians wait in the city of Gaza for aid deliveries from the US Air Force.(Bild: Associated Press)

According to the Hamas-controlled government, the war damage in the Gaza Strip amounts to 30 billion dollars (27.44 billion euros). This was announced by the government's media office on Saturday. The estimate refers to the damage caused by Israel's military in more than five months of war to homes, economic facilities and infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water pipes and sewers.

The information could not be independently verified. However, UN organizations assume that 70 to 80 percent of the building fabric in the city of Gaza has been destroyed by the fighting. Israel is waging a relentless war against Hamas after terrorists from the Islamist organization and other extremist groups attacked southern Israel on 7 October, killing around 1,200 people.

Smoke rises over the city of Khan Younis on March 9.(Bild: AFP )

Number of civilian casualties causes criticism
Part of Israel's warfare is the massive bombardment of towns and residential areas in the densely populated Gaza Strip. Allies such as the USA criticize the intensity of Israel's military action, which also claims many victims among the civilian population. The Israeli military claims that it intends to crush Hamas.

The Islamists would hide behind the civilian population and operate military installations, weapons depots and command posts in the middle of residential areas. In addition, the military considers it necessary to destroy a network of tunnels several hundred kilometers long created by Hamas. Bunkers and tunnels are often located under civilian facilities such as hospitals.