FAO: The Israeli War Has Devastated Agriculture in Gaza

SadaNews - The Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations stated that the Israeli war on Gaza has devastated agriculture in the besieged sector, with only 4.6% of Gaza’s land remaining suitable for cultivation.

Abd al-Hakim al-Wa'ar, the FAO's Assistant Director-General and Regional Representative for the Near East and North Africa, said in a statement, "FAO is currently unable to import anything, not even a single seed or bag of fertilizer into Gaza."

He added, "Although we are still prepared to do so as soon as humanitarian access is restored, at the same time, we are exploring new methods to support Gaza's farmers, which is crucial to enhancing food security now."

The FAO clarified that according to an analysis it conducted last March, "only 4.6% of Gaza’s land remains suitable for agriculture" due to the Israeli war.

It continued, "With the scarcity of arable land, those who were able to access it resorted to farming on temporary plots between tents or on the rubble of damaged homes."

Starting Point

The organization noted that "as the crisis continues to devastate the agricultural food sector in Gaza, it has recently supported 200 farmers in Rafah and Khan Yunis to improve the use of available land for growing the essential crops most in need."

For his part, Dr. Azzam Saleh, the organization’s program director for the West Bank and Gaza Strip, said, "In emergency situations like those in Gaza and the West Bank, the best starting point is the farmers themselves."

He explained that the organization's pilot program has shown that local farmers "have a unique ability to adapt, thanks to their technical and marketing expertise and traditional knowledge; they know how to make the most of every piece of land, every drop of water, and every dollar."

The organization added that "the impact of the initiative should not be overestimated, despite its importance, in the absence of a sustainable ceasefire and allowing humanitarian aid to enter without obstacles."

Since March 2, Israel has tightly closed Gaza’s crossings to supply trucks filled with aid stacked at the border, allowing only a handful of trucks to enter, while Palestinians in Gaza need a minimum of 500 trucks daily.

Beyond the oversight of the United Nations and international organizations, Israel and the United States have been implementing since May 27 a plan for the limited distribution of aid through the "Gaza Humanitarian Foundation," where the Israeli army bombs Palestinians lined up to receive aid, forcing them to choose between starving to death or being shot.

As of last Sunday, 583 martyrs and more than 4,000 injured had fallen while waiting to receive aid, according to the Ministry of Health in Gaza.

Since October 7, 2023, Israel has been committing genocide in Gaza, which includes killing, starving, destroying, and displacing people, ignoring international calls and orders from the International Court of Justice to stop.

Today, the Ministry of Health reported that the toll of Israeli aggression has risen to 57,012 martyrs and 134,592 injured, in addition to more than 11,000 missing.

Source: Anadolu Agency