Read the Beforeitsnews.com story here. Advertise at Before It's News here.
Profile image
By Human Wrongs Watch
Contributor profile | More stories
Story Views
Now:
Last hour:
Last 24 hours:
Total:

Less than 5% of Gaza’s Cropland Area Remains Available for Cultivation

% of readers think this story is Fact. Add your two cents.


Human Wrongs Watch By UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO)*

Gaza’s agricultural infrastructure continues to deteriorate ‘at alarming rate’

Before the start of the conflict, agriculture accounted for approximately 10 percent of Gaza’s economy. ©FAO/Yousef Alrozzi

Rome, 26 May 2025 Less than five percent of the Gaza Strip’s cropland area remains available for cultivation, according to the latest geospatial assessment carried out by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT), further deteriorating food production capacity and exacerbating  the risk of famine in the area.

As of April 2025, more than 80 percent of the Gaza Strip’s total cropland area has been damaged (12,537 hectares out of 15,053) and 77.8 percent is not accessible to farmers, leaving just 688 hectares (4.6 percent) available for cultivation.

The situation is particularly critical in Rafah and in the northern governorates, where nearly all cropland is not accessible.

Using high-resolution satellite imagery and comparing against pre-conflict baselines, the assessment also found that 71.2 percent of the Gaza Strip’s greenhouses have been damaged.

Rafah has suffered the highest increase in damaged greenhouses (86.5 percent in April 2025, compared with 57.5 percent in December 2024), while all greenhouses in the Gaza governate are damaged.

Agricultural wells have not fared better, with 82.8 percent of them damaged across the Gaza Strip. That figure stood at around 67.7 percent in December 2024.

Before the start of the conflict, agriculture accounted for approximately 10 percent of Gaza’s economy, with more than 560,000 people relying entirely or partially on crop production, herding, or fishing for their livelihoods.

©FAO

“This level of destruction is not just a loss of infrastructure – it is a collapse of Gaza’s agrifood system and of lifelines. What once provided food, income, and stability for hundreds of thousands is now in ruins…

… With cropland, greenhouses, and wells destroyed, local food production has ground to a halt…

… Rebuilding will require massive investment—and a sustained commitment to restore both livelihoods and hope,” said Beth Bechdol, FAO Deputy Director-General.

Looming famine

Earlier this year, FAO estimated that the total value of damages and losses experienced by the agricultural sector in Gaza since hostilities began, in 2023, was over $2 billion ($835 million in damages, $1.3 billion in losses), with estimated recovery and reconstruction needs estimated at about $4.2 billion.

With the breakdown of the ceasefire, these figures will undoubtedly have risen further, underlining the huge challenge of rebuilding the livelihoods of farmers, livestock owners and fishermen across the Gaza Strip.  

The latest assessment from FAO and UNOSAT follows the release of a new Integrated Food Security Phase Classification (IPC) analysis, which warns that the entire population of the Gaza Strip – approximately 2.1 million people – is facing a critical risk of famine following 19 months of conflict, mass displacement, and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid.

According to the IPC report, between 1 April and 10 May 2025, 93 percent of the population, which translates to 1.95 million people, were classified in Crisis or worse (IPC Phase 3 or above), including 925,000 (44 percent) in IPC Phase 4 (Emergency) and 244,000 people, or 12 percent of the population, in IPC Phase 5 (Catastrophe).

In Phase 5, the population is subject to catastrophic levels of food insecurity and faces starvation. 

Looking ahead, current projections are that 470,000 people (22 percent) will be in IPC Phase 5 from 11 May to the end of September 2025.

In response to the report, FAO has called for the immediate restoration of humanitarian access and the lifting of blockades.

*SOURCE: UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Go to ORIGINAL: https://www.fao.org/newsroom/detail/gaza-s-agricultural-infrastructure-continues-to-deteriorate-at-alarming-rate/en 2025 Human Wrongs Watch


Source: https://human-wrongs-watch.net/2025/06/04/less-than-5-of-gazas-cropland-area-remains-available-for-cultivation/


Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world.

Anyone can join.
Anyone can contribute.
Anyone can become informed about their world.

"United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.

Before It’s News® is a community of individuals who report on what’s going on around them, from all around the world. Anyone can join. Anyone can contribute. Anyone can become informed about their world. "United We Stand" Click Here To Create Your Personal Citizen Journalist Account Today, Be Sure To Invite Your Friends.


LION'S MANE PRODUCT


Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules


Mushrooms are having a moment. One fabulous fungus in particular, lion’s mane, may help improve memory, depression and anxiety symptoms. They are also an excellent source of nutrients that show promise as a therapy for dementia, and other neurodegenerative diseases. If you’re living with anxiety or depression, you may be curious about all the therapy options out there — including the natural ones.Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend has been formulated to utilize the potency of Lion’s mane but also include the benefits of four other Highly Beneficial Mushrooms. Synergistically, they work together to Build your health through improving cognitive function and immunity regardless of your age. Our Nootropic not only improves your Cognitive Function and Activates your Immune System, but it benefits growth of Essential Gut Flora, further enhancing your Vitality.



Our Formula includes: Lion’s Mane Mushrooms which Increase Brain Power through nerve growth, lessen anxiety, reduce depression, and improve concentration. Its an excellent adaptogen, promotes sleep and improves immunity. Shiitake Mushrooms which Fight cancer cells and infectious disease, boost the immune system, promotes brain function, and serves as a source of B vitamins. Maitake Mushrooms which regulate blood sugar levels of diabetics, reduce hypertension and boosts the immune system. Reishi Mushrooms which Fight inflammation, liver disease, fatigue, tumor growth and cancer. They Improve skin disorders and soothes digestive problems, stomach ulcers and leaky gut syndrome. Chaga Mushrooms which have anti-aging effects, boost immune function, improve stamina and athletic performance, even act as a natural aphrodisiac, fighting diabetes and improving liver function. Try Our Lion’s Mane WHOLE MIND Nootropic Blend 60 Capsules Today. Be 100% Satisfied or Receive a Full Money Back Guarantee. Order Yours Today by Following This Link.


Report abuse

Comments

Your Comments
Question   Razz  Sad   Evil  Exclaim  Smile  Redface  Biggrin  Surprised  Eek   Confused   Cool  LOL   Mad   Twisted  Rolleyes   Wink  Idea  Arrow  Neutral  Cry   Mr. Green

MOST RECENT
Load more ...

SignUp

Login

Newsletter

Email this story
Email this story

If you really want to ban this commenter, please write down the reason:

If you really want to disable all recommended stories, click on OK button. After that, you will be redirect to your options page.