Gaza – UN warning of the deterioration of the agricultural sector at disturbing rates: 95% of the agricultural land is not available

The evaluation stated that more than 80% of the total area of ​​agricultural land in the Gaza Strip has been damaged until April 2025, and it has become 77.8% of the lands not available to farmers, leaving only 688 hectares (4.6 percent) available for agriculture.

The FAO said that the situation is especially critical in Rafah and the northern governorates, where almost not all agricultural lands can be reached.

Using high -resolution satellite images and comparing them with pre -conflict data, the evaluation also found that 71.2% of agricultural (greenhouses) in the Gaza Strip was damaged. Rafah witnessed the highest increase in that damage, while damage to all agricultural mornings in Gaza Governorate.

82.8% of agricultural wells were also damaged throughout the Gaza Strip. This percentage was about 67.7% in December 2024.

Before the conflict began, agriculture represented about 10% of the Gaza economy, as more than 560,000 people were totally or partially dependent on the production of crops, grazing or fishing in their livelihood.

Beth Bexdol, Deputy Director General of the FAO, said in a press statement that this level of destruction is not limited to the loss of infrastructure, but rather includes the collapse of the agricultural food system in Gaza and the artery of life.

س In order: “What was providing food, income and stability for hundreds of thousands is now in ruin. With the destruction of lands, agricultural and wells, local food production is completely stopped. Reconstruction will require huge investments, and sustainable commitment to restore livelihoods and hope.”

Familiar courage on the horizon

Earlier this year, Al -Faw has estimated the total value of the damage and losses incurred by the agricultural sector in Gaza since the beginning of hostilities, in 2023, at more than two billion dollars, and the needs of recovery and reconstruction at about $ 4.2 billion.

The organization suggested that these estimates rise with the ceasefire collapse, “This confirms the tremendous challenge of rebuilding farmers’ livelihoods, livestock and fishermen throughout the Gaza Strip. “

This evaluation issued by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Satellite Center comes after a new analysis of the integrated classification of the stages of food security, which warns that all residents of the Gaza Strip – about 2.1 million people – are facing the risk of familiarity with 19 months of conflict, collective displacement and severe restrictions on humanitarian aid.

The (FAO) renewed its call to reopen the humanitarian crossings immediately and raise the closure.