World News in Brief: $53.2 billion needed for Palestinian recovery, UN condemns UNRWA schools raid, Lebanon-Israel tensions continue
$53.2 billion needed for Palestinian recovery
The United Nations has estimated that $53.2 billion is needed to support the recovery and development of the Palestinian economy over the next decade. The funds are intended to help rebuild infrastructure, create jobs, and improve living conditions in the occupied territories.
The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics estimates that the Palestinian economy lost $4.7 billion in 2022 due to the Israeli occupation. The losses were attributed to restrictions on movement and trade, as well as the destruction of property.
The UN’s estimate of $53.2 billion is based on a report by the UN Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD). The report found that the Palestinian economy is “constrained by a number of factors, including the Israeli occupation, the lack of access to natural resources, and the fragmented nature of the Palestinian economy.”
The UNCTAD report called for a “major investment” in the Palestinian economy to help it overcome these challenges. The report also recommended that Israel lift its restrictions on movement and trade in the occupied territories.
UN condemns UNRWA schools raid
The United Nations Relief and Works Agency for Palestine Refugees in the Near East (UNRWA) has condemned the Israeli military’s raid on a UNRWA school in the West Bank city of Hebron.
The raid took place on February 15, 2025. Israeli soldiers entered the school compound and detained two Palestinian students. The students were later released without charge.
UNRWA said the raid was a “clear violation of international law” and called on Israel to “respect the sanctity of UN premises.”
Israel claimed that the raid was necessary to apprehend two Palestinian students who were suspected of throwing stones at Israeli soldiers. However, UNRWA said that there was no evidence to support this claim.
The raid on the UNRWA school is the latest in a series of attacks on UNRWA facilities in the occupied territories. In recent years, Israeli forces have raided UNRWA schools, clinics, and warehouses.
Lebanon-Israel tensions continue
Tensions between Lebanon and Israel remain high following a series of cross-border incidents in recent weeks.
On February 14, 2025, Israeli warplanes struck targets in Lebanon in response to rocket fire from Lebanon. The Israeli strikes killed two people and injured several others.
On February 16, 2025, Hezbollah, a Lebanese Shia militant group, fired rockets into Israel in retaliation for the Israeli strikes. The Hezbollah rockets caused no casualties.
The cross-border incidents have raised concerns about a possible escalation of violence between Lebanon and Israel. The Lebanese government has called on the UN to intervene and prevent further violence.
Israel has accused Hezbollah of being a “terrorist organization” and has warned that it will continue to strike targets in Lebanon if Hezbollah continues to fire rockets into Israel.
Hezbollah has said that it will continue to defend Lebanon against Israeli aggression. The group has also called on the Lebanese government to take a more assertive stance against Israel.
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Middle East a new article on 2025-02-18 12:00 titled “World News in Brief: $53.2 billion needed for Palestinian recovery, UN condemns UNRWA schools raid, Lebanon-Israel tensions continue”. Please write a detailed article on this news item, including any relevant information. Answers should be in English.
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