Haaretz: The Gaza War Is the Most Costly for 'Israel'
Haaretz revealed that the war on Gaza has become the longest and most costly in Israel's history, with costs reaching about 420 billion shekels, and expectations it will exceed 500 billion. The war increased Israel's national debt by about 400 billion shekels and exposed an ammunition crisis, with consumption exceeding planned estimates.
The Hebrew newspaper Haaretz revealed that the war on Gaza, which began on October 7, 2023, has become the longest and most costly in Israel's history, with costs so far reaching about 420 billion shekels, amid expectations that the total cost will approach half a trillion shekels. According to the newspaper, the war increased Israel's national debt by about 400 billion shekels. It noted that the Israeli army entered ground operations in Gaza in late October 2023, based on estimates that fighting would last at least three months, while ammunition stocks were prepared for shorter war scenarios. It quoted a former Israeli officer as saying that some types of ammunition were in quantities below estimated needs for a short war, and actual consumption in some areas exceeded estimates, reaching about double the planned amounts. These figures reflect the extent of attrition suffered by the military establishment, not only in terms of human and operational losses, but also in military spending, logistical needs, and weapons stockpiles. The rising cost comes at a time when Israel faces accumulated economic repercussions due to the prolonged fighting, extensive reserve mobilization, continued military spending, and the need to finance reconstruction and compensation. According to the numbers, reaching 420 billion shekels with expectations of exceeding 500 billion places the war at an unprecedented level of financial burden in Israel's history.