Israeli bombing leaves Gaza’s agricultural base 'largely decimated'

By Al Mayadeen English
Source: Agencies
1 Nov 2025 14:45
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The United Nations says Israeli airstrikes have devastated Gaza’s farmland, destroying vital crops and infrastructure.

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Smoke billows behind palm trees during Israeli bombing in the Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Nov. 22, 2023 (AP)

The United Nations said on Saturday that nearly 87 percent of Gaza’s agricultural land has been damaged amid the ongoing genocide, warning that the devastation continues to expand month after month.

A joint assessment by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) found extensive destruction of farmland, greenhouses, irrigation wells, and other key agricultural infrastructure, vital for both food production and local livelihoods.

According to the report, the findings highlight “the ongoing and repeated destruction” of agricultural assets across the enclave, leaving Gaza’s agricultural base “largely decimated".

Gaza’s agricultural infrastructure continues to deteriorate at alarming rate

Despite the scale of damage, the UN agencies said that around 37 percent of the affected farmland is now accessible for rehabilitation following the ceasefire. Within these zones, some 600 hectares of land remain intact and could serve as a foundation for rebuilding local food systems and supporting families dependent on farming.

The analysis also pointed to worsening damage to irrigation infrastructure, noting that Israeli destruction of wells critical to crop and livestock production rose from 83 percent in April to almost 87 percent by late September.

FAO said it plans to join broader, cross-sector efforts aimed at restoring Gaza’s agricultural capacity. However, it warned that its US$75 million appeal for 2025 has received only 10 percent of the required funding.

Unexploded ordnances in Gaza may take 30 yrs to clear, aid group says

Moreover, the humanitarian organization Humanity & Inclusion reported that clearing unexploded ordnances in Gaza could take as long as 30 years, describing the area to Reuters as a "horrific, unmapped minefield."

Nick Orr, an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) expert with the group, compared the situation in Gaza to post-World War II British cities, noting that full clearance is nearly impossible due to the depth and complexity of the munitions buried beneath the rubble.

"We will find it for generations to come," Orr told Reuters last month.

The presence of these unexploded Israeli munitions continues to claim lives. According to a UN-led database, more than 53 people have been killed and hundreds more have been injured, though aid groups believe the actual numbers are significantly higher.