Displaced Gaza farmers turn to dirt near tents to grow crops

What Happened

Displaced Palestinian farmers in Gaza are attempting to cultivate small patches of land near their tents to combat severe food shortages, as the Gaza Ministry of Agriculture reports that cultivated areas have dropped to less than 15 percent of their usual capacity. According to geospatial assessments from the FAO and UN Satellite Centre, less than 5 percent of Gaza’s cropland remains available, with the Government Media Office in Gaza stating that 94 percent of the territory's 178,000 dunams of agricultural land has been destroyed by Israeli forces since October 2023. This destruction includes the loss of 87 percent of agricultural wells and 85 percent of greenhouses, resulting in an estimated $2.8bn in direct losses to the agricultural and livestock sectors.

Key Actors

Why It Matters

The collapse of Gaza's agricultural sector, which previously supported over 560,000 people and accounted for 10 percent of the local economy, has transitioned the population into a state of forced aid dependency. Experts from the FAO characterize this as a systematic dismantling of the enclave's food security infrastructure, which significantly exacerbates the risk of famine and complicates long-term recovery efforts for the territory.

Watch For

Monitor future funding levels for the FAO's $75m appeal, as current contributions remain below 10 percent of the target. Additionally, observe reports on the accessibility of remaining agricultural land as Israeli forces maintain control over designated 'Yellow Line' zones, which continue to restrict farming activities through artillery fire.