Hamas estimates Gaza war damage at $30 billion

Palestinians inspect the massive damage caused by an Israeli air strike on Al-Masry Tower, downtown Rafah. Mohammed Talatene/dpa

The war in Gaza has resulted in $30 billion in damages and the destruction of as much as 80% of the buildings in Gaza city, the Hamas-controlled media office said on Saturday.

The overall damage is to residential buildings, economic facilities and infrastructure such as roads, electricity and water pipes and sewerage systems, the office said.

The information could not be independently verified.

Israel has been fighting a war in Gaza following the invasion of Palestinian Hamas militants and others into Israel on October 7, which results in some 1,200 being killed and about 250 kidnapped.

Part of Israel's warfare includes massive bombardments of towns and residential areas in the densely populated Gaza Strip. Allies such as the United States have criticized 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 and free the hostages.

Hamas hides behind the civilian population and operates military installations, weapons depots and command centres in the middle of residential areas, Israel says. It has shown several photos and videos of such installations over the course of the now five-month war.

As such, Israel considers it necessary to destroy a network of tunnels several hundred kilometres long created by Hamas. Bunkers and tunnels are often located under civilian facilities such as hospitals.

Palestinians inspect the massive damage caused by an Israeli air strike on Al-Masry Tower, downtown Rafah. Mohammed Talatene/dpa
Palestinians inspect the massive damage caused by an Israeli air strike on Al-Masry Tower, downtown Rafah. Mohammed Talatene/dpa