The ongoing Israeli military operations, the total blockade, and the policy of starvation have caused the systematic destruction of infrastructure, agricultural land, water and irrigation, in addition to the displacement of farmers from their land. The destruction of agricultural land in Gaza is a direct result of the war of genocide, which has increased with the continuation of the blockade and Israeli policies targeting agricultural infrastructure in a systematic and comprehensive manner.
Causes of Destruction of Agricultural Land in Gaza
Agricultural land in the Gaza Strip is suffering systematic and widespread destruction as a result of a combination of complex and interrelated factors. This deterioration not only represents economic loss, but threatens the food security of the population and exacerbates the deepening humanitarian crisis. The root causes of this destruction are ongoing military operations, a total blockade, and policies that directly target agricultural and water infrastructure, displacing farmers, contaminating the soil, and rendering large portions of land unsuitable for agriculture.
1. Intensified bombardment and land levelling of agricultural land
Direct targeting of fields and greenhouses
Numerous reports indicate that heavy rocket and bomb shelling targets large areas of agricultural land and animal farms. This bombardment directly destroys fields, orchards and greenhouses, turning productive green land into destructive and unusable areas. Thousands of greenhouses, which were a vital part of domestic production, have been damaged, reducing agricultural production capacity and increasing import dependence.
Wild invasions and soil erosion
In addition to aerial bombardment, ground incursions contribute significantly to the destruction of territory, especially in the eastern areas of the Strip. During these invasions the land is bulldozed and the soil is compacted, rendering it unsuitable for prolonged cultivation. This dredging not only destroys existing crops, but also affects the structure of the soil and its ability for future production. Satellite images clearly show how much destruction has been inflicted on these lands.
Soil pollution and the impact of explosives
Military operations also contribute to contamination of the soil with explosives and remnants of war, making it unsuitable for long-term agriculture. This pollution is not just an impediment to production, but also a significant environmental and health risk to the population and the surrounding environment.
Read more about The Impact of the Bombing on the Environment in Gaza
2. Denial of farmers access to agricultural land
Evacuation orders and displacement of farmers
Evacuation orders and the displacement of farmers cause agricultural land to cease to be cared for, causing crops to be naturally damaged by neglect. Farmers in areas such as Gaza, the north and Rafah are unable to reach their fields, leaving crops to be destroyed without harvest or care.
Allocation of land to buffer zones
Israel is isolating and bulldozing large areas of agricultural land along the border fence, turning them into "buffer zones." This policy removes thousands of acres of agricultural land from use and prevents farmers from working there permanently, significantly reducing the sector’s arable area.
3. Restrictions on movement and imports
Lack of fuel and agricultural materials
Israel’s ongoing blockade, with narrow crossings and restrictions on the entry of agricultural materials and fuel, is exacerbating the crisis. This blockade prevents the delivery of fuel needed to operate irrigation systems, agricultural equipment, and essential raw materials such as fertilizers and seeds, severely hampering agricultural production and eliminating the functions of the agricultural sector as a whole.
Difficulty maintaining infrastructure
Restrictions on movement and imports also hinder the maintenance of irrigation systems and agricultural machinery. Even if the land remains intact from bombardment, the inability to maintain and equip it makes it unproductive, increasing the proportion of farmland not available for use.
How does the destruction of agricultural land affect food security?
These combined causes led to the near-total collapse of Gaza’s agricultural sector, with serious implications for food security and the local economy.
1. Collapse of food security
Before the war, the agricultural sector accounted for about 42% of Gaza’s land use for crop production, orchards, and livestock grazing. Today, extensive damage has left less than 5% of agricultural land still available for agriculture, and more than 80% of all agricultural land has been damaged in one way or another. This collapse has dire consequences for food security, as the risk of famine among Gaza residents rises dramatically.
2. Long-term environmental and economic impacts
This widespread destruction has long-lasting effects on soil and environmental resources. Pollution and soil degradation reduce their fertility, making their recovery difficult and expensive. The destruction of the agricultural sector also threatens the livelihoods of thousands of farmers and families who depend on agriculture for their main livelihood.
Read more: Is Gaza still viable?
How can farmers affected by the destruction be supported?
Farmers face serious challenges as a result of the destruction, which has caused heavy losses of agricultural land, crops and livestock.
Direct material assistance
Direct material assistance to affected farmers in Gaza is one of the most important means to support their resilience and restore their ability to work and produce after the great destruction of their land and farms.
Provision of agricultural production requirements
Providing farmers with seeds, fertilizers, agricultural tools and irrigation systems helps them to restore their agricultural activity and rehabilitate their damaged land. This support not only revives production but also contributes to food security.
