This is an entry from: Live Blog: Gaza under attack
The Israeli assault on Gaza is affecting business in Israel in a big way
11 August 2014 13:24 BST
Anadolu Agency has been reporting on how Israel's devastating military operation against the Gaza Strip has had, not only a devastating imact in terms of human cost, but also an impact on the Israeli front for local businesses.
"This operation totally affected our business; we saw a 90-percent drop in sales in the last two weeks," Edwardo Dwer, a 59-year-old shop owner in West Jerusalem, told Anadolu Agency.
Although things may seem slightly calmer now, during this temporary ceasefire, Israeli business owners are still feeling the bite, with the tourism sector seemingly the biggest loser.
According to the Israel Hotel Association, 30 to 40 percent of tourists left Tel Aviv earlier than planned in the first days of the operation, while 30 percent cancelled their reservations.
Nearly 75 percent of Jerusalem hotel bookings were also canceled in July, according to Sami Abu-Dayyeh, president of the Holy Land Incoming Tour Operators Association.
For Gaza the assault has also caused huge infrastructural losses estimated at some $50 million, a Palestinian official said Monday.
"The Israeli occupation destroyed over 5000 homes, roads, water and sanitation facilities and 12 water wells," Gaza municipality head Nazar Hegazi told Anadolu Agency on Monday.
Electricity is gradually returning to homes in the Gaza Strip, which is expected to improve the water supply in the embattled enclave, he said.
Much of the Gaza Strip's power grid, including the line that carries electricity from Israel, was damaged during Israel's offensive, which began on July 7.