GAZA, (PIC)
The United Nations said on Friday that 87% of agricultural land in the Gaza Strip has been damaged, with destruction continuing to rise this year as a result of the Israeli assault.
A joint analysis by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Satellite Center (UNOSAT) revealed widespread devastation across farmland, greenhouses, irrigation wells, and vital agricultural infrastructure, effectively wiping out Gaza’s food base and livelihoods.
The analysis noted that the repeated and sustained destruction of agricultural land and assets illustrates the total collapse of the farming sector in Gaza. However, it added that about 37% of the damaged farmland could be rehabilitated and replanted after the ceasefire, including roughly 600 hectares still intact and potentially usable to rebuild food production and restore livelihoods.
The report also found that damage to irrigation wells rose from 83% in April to around 87% by late September, further undermining crop and livestock sustainability in the besieged enclave.
The FAO said it is preparing to take part in large-scale agricultural rehabilitation but warned that its 2025 emergency appeal for $75 million for Gaza has been only 10% funded, urging donors to provide immediate support to strengthen food security and assist affected farmers.
Meanwhile, the UN Office for the Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs (OCHA) reported that Israeli settlers carried out 126 attacks during the olive harvest season in the West Bank, the highest number in five years.
According to OCHA’s statement on Friday evening, settler assaults targeted 70 towns, resulting in the destruction of over 4,000 olive trees and saplings. Settlers from new outposts also restricted access to many olive groves. Sixty attacks directly targeted Palestinians, leaving 17 injured and damaging 19 vehicles in the past week alone.
