Gaza: Geospatial data shows intensifying damage to cropland

Rome – The latest assessment using satellite data produced by the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) shows escalating damage to farmland and agricultural infrastructure in the Gaza Strip, further exacerbating the humanitarian and hunger crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict.

As of 1 September 2024, 67.6 percent of Gaza’s cropland – or 10 183 hectares (ha) – has been damaged. This is up from 57.3 percent (8 660 ha) in May and 42.6 percent (6 694 ha) in February 2024. More specifically, 71.2 percent of orchards and other trees, 67.1 percent of field crops, and 58.5 percent of vegetables have been damaged.

The satellite images indicate that heavy vehicle tracks, razing, shelling, and other conflict-related pressures have also significantly damaged Gaza’s agricultural infrastructure, with a total of 1 188 agricultural wells (52.5 percent) and 577.9 ha of greenhouses (44.3 percent) damaged.

“This satellite analysis provides critical insights to support humanitarian efforts as the conflict continues to impact Gaza's agricultural sector," UNITAR Executive Director Nikhil Seth said. UNOSAT is a specialized program within UNITAR, the United Nations Institute for Training and Research. 

“The extent of the damages on agricultural land in the Gaza Strip has reached unprecedented levels. This raises serious concerns about the potential for food production now and in the future, because food aid alone cannot meet the daily needs of Gaza’s people. This damage to agricultural land compounds the imminent risk of famine in the whole Gaza Strip,” FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol said.

More than 2 million Gazans are still in urgent need of food and livelihood assistance as humanitarian access remains restricted. The latest assessment, covering the period 7 October 2023 – 1 September 2024, reinforces concerns about the risk of famine.

Since the conflict started, FAO and UNOSAT have provided regular agricultural assessment updates, combining field and satellite data to evaluate various agricultural indicators, such as cropland area extent.

Assessment details of note

• Khan Younis has the largest area of damaged cropland (2 589 ha or 61.5 percent), while North Gaza has the highest proportion of damage per governorate (78.2 percent).
• The Port of Gaza City has been severely damaged, with most fishing boats destroyed.
• Rafah has seen a sharp increase (183 percent) in damaged greenhouses, rising from 44 ha in April to 124.7 ha in September 2024, accounting for 27.7 percent of its total greenhouses.
• Almost 95 percent (about 15 000) of cattle have died, and nearly all calves have been slaughtered.
• Around 43 percent of sheep (less than 25 000 heads) and 37 percent of goats (about 3 000 heads) remain alive.
• Dramatic losses are reported in the poultry sector, with only 1 percent (ca. 34 000) of heads alive. Commercial poultry production has largely ceased, with most operations now limited to household-level production for self-consumption.
  

FAO's emergency response

The conflict has removed access to critical sources of protein and nutritious foods and continues to devastate peoples’ livelihoods.

Agricultural aid is urgently needed to restore the availability of highly nutritious food, prevent the agricultural sector’s total collapse, preserve remaining agricultural livelihoods, and curb acute hunger and malnutrition, especially among children. Gaza’s farmers, fishers, and herders are risking their lives to continue food production. However, this is becoming increasingly difficult due to the substantial damage to infrastructures, as documented in the latest geospatial analyses.

Like other UN and humanitarian actors, FAO has experienced logistical challenges, particularly due to the restriction at crossings, caused by the collapse of law and order that constrains the delivery of agricultural aid into Gaza. As of 29 September 2024, FAO has distributed fodder to over 4 400 livestock holders in Rafah, Khan Younis, and Deir al-Balah and veterinary kits to about 2 400 herder families.

FAO is ready to deliver more inputs to Gazan farmers and herders once access, security and mobility conditions are fully restored.