The conflict in Gaza has devastated the Palestinian economy, which is now 35 per cent smaller than it was at the start of Israel’s invasion a year ago, while development levels in Gaza itself have collapsed to the level of the 1950s, the UN’s development agency said, Reuters reports.

Launching a new study on the socioeconomic impacts of the conflict, which Palestinian officials say has claimed more than 42,500 lives, the UNDP’s Chitose Noguchi said that by some measures the region’s poverty level was now approaching 100pc as a result of the disruption, with unemployment now at 80pc.

“The state of Palestine is experiencing unprecedented levels of setbacks,” she said over a crackling line from Deir Al-Balah. “For Gaza, reversing development by an estimated 70 years to 1955.”