GAZA, (Palestine Foundation Information Center), A report issued by the Palestinian ministry of agriculture has documented the widespread devastation inflicted on Gaza’s agricultural sector during the Israeli genocide, describing the damage as catastrophic and unprecedented.
According to the report, Gaza’s agricultural sector suffered extensive destruction throughout the genocide between 2023 and 2025, leading to the near-total collapse of its agricultural production system. More than 85% of most agricultural sectors sustained damage, based on high-resolution aerial imagery, Geographic Information Systems (GIS), and official agricultural databases.
The report estimates total losses at approximately $3.49 billion, including $1.90 billion in direct damage and $1.59 billion in indirect losses.
The crop production sector experienced a sharp decline in agricultural output, significantly reducing Gaza’s ability to produce food locally. About 158,909 dunums of farmland out of 182,247 dunums were damaged, representing 87.1% of the territory’s cultivated land.
The report said the Israeli genocide also caused the near-total collapse of Gaza’s agricultural irrigation system. Approximately 8,700 agricultural water wells were put completely out of service, while 3,828 agricultural water reservoirs were damaged and 1,371 kilometers of agricultural water pipelines were destroyed.
The livestock sector sustained damage estimated at 90.3%, including the destruction of more than 5,450 livestock farms and 2,300 poultry farms. The report also documented the deaths of approximately 69,000 livestock animals and 2.79 million poultry, in addition to damage to 28,400 beehives, reflecting severe losses across the animal production sector.
The fishing industry also suffered extensive destruction. According to the report, 1,674 fishing vessels and boats, seven fish farms, and approximately 450 dual-use fish ponds were damaged, while Gaza’s only fish hatchery was destroyed, bringing fishing and aquaculture activities to a near standstill.
Agricultural infrastructure was also heavily affected, with 93 plant nurseries, 18 hatcheries, and 134 agricultural cold-storage facilities almost destroyed. The report further documented widespread damage to government agricultural centers, veterinary laboratories, research stations, water treatment facilities, fishermen’s ports, and related service infrastructure.
The Palestinian ministry of agriculture said the unprecedented destruction has left Gaza’s agricultural production system virtually paralyzed, sharply worsening food insecurity across the Strip. It added that thousands of families have lost their livelihoods, increasing dependence on humanitarian and emergency assistance.
The ministry called on the international community, United Nations agencies, and donor organizations to take immediate action to support the recovery and rehabilitation of Gaza’s agricultural sector, rebuild its infrastructure, and enable farmers, fishermen, and livestock breeders to resume production, thereby strengthening food security and supporting Gaza’s economic recovery.
