War-devastated Gaza’s Farmers Face Near-total Loss of Cropland: UN Agency
Amid ongoing Israeli military airstrikes in Gaza, the enclave’s farmers are facing a challenging situation with just three percent (448 hectares) of their farmland remaining usable, according to a new assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and UNOSAT.
In October 2025, 601 hectares were accessible and undamaged, but this number has significantly dropped. “This latest assessment underscores the severe deterioration of Gaza’s agriculture sector,” stated Rein Paulsen, Director of FAO’s Office of Emergencies and Resilience.
For farmers like Taysir Dahdouh, who grows cucumbers and tomatoes, the Israeli war has brought about an overwhelming loss:
“I had a good income before the war. Suddenly, we were left with nothing… Even our greenhouses’ steel frames disappeared, along with our homes, belongings, and irrigation pipes.”
After returning from displacement, Dahdouh and his family managed to restore one dunum (approximately one-tenth of a hectare) of their land. However, he highlights other critical issues:
“There is not enough water, no fertilizers, no seeds… These are the basic necessities that would allow us to continue our lives.”
The limited growing space for Gaza’s farmers today is mainly due to restricted access rather than additional war damage. In June 2026, while 4,000 hectares of cropland in Gaza could be reached, only 3,600 hectares were suitable for planting.
Farmers in Deir al-Balah and Khan Younis have experienced the most significant reductions in available land due to the westward expansion of the “Yellow Line” separating the ceasefire zone from Israeli forces’ controlled area. Rafah, in the south of Gaza, has the highest levels of inaccessible cropland (97.2%) and greenhouse growing areas (98.4%).
The situation remains dire for Gazans, with recent reports of multiple air strikes over the weekend by UN partners.
