Conservative estimates put the cost of the Gaza invasion at $3 billion so far. As IAF reduces the scope of the operation, direct costs will not rise rapidly. The call-up of 20,000 reservists pushes indirect costs upward: at $4,500 average GDP per employee per month, economic losses run close to $1 billion monthly, further increased by economic stagnation in the embattled south.
So far, every Israeli Jewish family shelled out $3,000 to correct the government’s decision to disengage from Gaza three years ago. Staying in Gaza was not only profitable in terms of Gush Katif economic output, but far less expensive than the current invasion.
