The agricultural sector in the Gaza Strip is facing an unprecedented deterioration, marked by a sharp decline in cultivated land and widespread destruction of infrastructure. This comes alongside Israeli control over more than 60 percent of agricultural land within what is called the "yellow line", a situation that threatens food security and undermines the population's livelihoods.
Agricultural expert Nabil Abu Shamala described post-war conditions as “catastrophic,” noting that Zionist enemy forces have not only destroyed agricultural infrastructure but also prevented the entry of essential production inputs. At the same time, large swathes of land remain under Israeli control, while areas from which forces have withdrawn suffer from severe destruction that is currently difficult to rehabilitate.
Abu Shamala explained that entire agricultural sectors have been almost completely devastated, particularly livestock. He noted that only “one or two cows” remain across Gaza, while the number of sheep and goats has dropped from approximately 70,000 to just 17,000, due to feed shortages, the spread of disease, and the absence of vaccination programs.
He also pointed out that the fishing sector has sustained heavy losses following the destruction of most boats and ports. Only a limited number of boats remain, relocated by fishermen to the south, where they face constant pursuit and restrictions limiting fishing distances to less than two kilometers—areas considered poor in fish stocks.
According to Abu Shamala, these developments have directly impacted food security, with residents increasingly unable to secure their basic needs. Agricultural products have become scarce, and prices have surged to unprecedented levels.
Farmer Mahmoud Al Shaer stated that the agricultural sector is experiencing “near-total paralysis” due to shortages of fertilizers, pesticides, and chemical supplies, in addition to a worsening water crisis and rising salinity levels caused by the blockade. He emphasized that “there is effectively no agriculture taking place this year.”
Specialists warn that if these conditions persist without urgent intervention to support and rehabilitate the agricultural sector, the economic crisis will worsen and dependence on aid will increase, as resources continue to erode and prospects for recovery diminish.
Since October 7, 2023, Zionist enemey forces—supported by America and European countries—have carried out a genocidal campaign in the Gaza Strip. This has resulted in more than 243,000 Palestinians killed or injured, the majority of them women and children, in addition to more than 11,000 missing persons and hundreds of thousands displaced, alongside widespread destruction affecting most areas of the territory.
