Israel’s war with Hamas would cost over $51 billion: report

Calcalist, an Israeli business newspaper, citing preliminary figures from the Israeli Finance Ministry reported that Israel’s war with Hamas in the Gaza Strip is estimated to cost as much as 200 billion shekels ($51 billion).

This estimate accounts for 10% of Israel’s GDP and is based on the assumption that the war will last between eight to 12 months, remain limited to Gaza, and not involve full participation by Hezbollah, Iran, or Yemen.

Reportedly, the Israeli Finance Ministry regards this estimate as “optimistic,” but it has not endorsed Calcalist’s data.

On the other hand, thousands of people have taken to the streets in Jerusalem and Tel Aviv over the government’s handling of the crisis.

On Sunday, protesters gathered outside Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu‘s official residence in Jerusalem, calling on him to resign.

Several of the demonstrators broke through barriers that had been erected near the prime minister’s home, and scuffled with Israeli police.

Pressure mounts on Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu over his government’s lack of preparedness for the October 7 attacks by Hamas and its handling of the ensuing captive crisis.