Palestinian economy remains in deep recession amid Gaza collapse: report

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Palestinian economy remains in deep recession amid Gaza collapse: report

2025-12-28 13:56 Last Updated At：12-29 13:34

The Palestinian economy has continued to suffer a deep recession in 2025, according to a joint report released by the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics and the Palestine Monetary Authority.

The report highlighted a staggering 84 percent drop in gross domestic product (GDP) in the Gaza Strip compared to 2023, describing economic activity there as on the verge of "complete collapse." Meanwhile, the West Bank's economy shrank by 13 percent.

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Palestinian economy remains in deep recession amid Gaza collapse: report

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Palestinian economy remains in deep recession amid Gaza collapse: report

Unemployment in Gaza has surged to over 77 percent, according to the report.

Russia, Ukraine conduct another prisoner exchange, civilians also released

Russia and Ukraine conducted another prisoner exchange on Saturday that also included civilians, the Russian Defense Ministry said.

According to the ministry, 175 Russian soldiers were returned from Ukrainian-controlled territory in exchange for 175 Ukrainian service members. It added that the repatriated Russian servicemen are currently in Belarus, where they are receiving psychological and medical assistance ahead of their transfer to Russia.

The ministry also said that seven Russian civilians from the Kursk region previously illegally detained by Ukraine were released.

A total of 182 Ukrainians returned home Saturday as part of a prisoner exchange with Russia ahead of Orthodox Easter, Ukrainian authorities said.

Those released included 175 service members and seven civilians, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said on X.

The freed individuals range in age from 22 to 63, with most having been held in captivity since 2022, the Coordinating Headquarters for the Treatment of Prisoners of War said in a statement.