The Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) and the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) have released new geospatial data revealing widespread and escalating damage to the agricultural sector in the Gaza Strip. The analysis highlights extensive destruction of cropland, greenhouses, irrigation wells, and agricultural infrastructure that are critical for food production and livelihoods. Although Gaza’s agricultural base has been severely devastated, the recent ceasefire has created a brief and urgent opportunity to begin rehabilitating farmland and restoring food systems.
According to the findings, 37 percent of the damaged cropland is now physically accessible for rehabilitation, with about 600 hectares remaining undamaged. These areas present a crucial chance to revive local food production and support farmers’ livelihoods. However, the overall damage continues to rise, with cropland destruction increasing from 80 percent in April to 87 percent by late September 2025. Similarly, greenhouse damage grew from 71 percent in April to 80 percent in October, with total losses reported in Gaza Governorate and near-total destruction in North Gaza. Despite this, the ceasefire has increased greenhouse accessibility by 17 percent, giving FAO a foundation to launch recovery initiatives.
Damage to agricultural wells—essential for irrigation—has also worsened, climbing from 83 percent in April to nearly 87 percent in September. This further undermines Gaza’s ability to sustain crop and livestock production. FAO Deputy Director-General Beth Bechdol emphasized that satellite imagery underscores the severe impact on Gaza’s food production capacity but noted that the ceasefire offers a critical window for recovery. She called for urgent action and funding to rehabilitate farmland, rebuild infrastructure, and revive fisheries and livestock systems to protect livelihoods and ensure food security.
FAO’s 2025 Flash Appeal for Gaza seeks $75 million to support agricultural rehabilitation but is currently only 10 percent funded, highlighting the urgent need for donor support. The new analysis details catastrophic losses across all agricultural categories. Nearly 87 percent of cropland has been damaged, with North Gaza and Gaza City recording the highest destruction rates and Khan Younis experiencing the largest affected area, exceeding 3,500 hectares. Damage spans all crop types, including orchards, field crops, and vegetables, with olive orchards being the most severely affected.
The report also reveals that around 80 percent of all greenhouses have been damaged—more than 1,000 hectares across the Gaza Strip—with complete destruction in the Gaza Governorate and near-total losses in North Gaza. Nearly 87 percent of agricultural wells are nonfunctional, and widespread damage has been recorded across infrastructure such as poultry farms, home barns, and sheep farms, with Khan Younis bearing the highest number of damaged structures. FAO stressed that restoring these systems is vital for food production, economic stability, and the resilience of Gaza’s communities.
