Kathmandu: The ongoing war in Gaza has severely impacted the region’s agricultural sector, rendering less than five percent of its farmland usable, according to a statement issued by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) on Monday. The destruction has further worsened an already dire food crisis and heightened the risk of famine among the population.

As Israel continues its military operations against Hamas, international criticism has grown, particularly regarding the humanitarian consequences. Despite limited humanitarian aid trickling in after nearly three months of blockade, acute shortages of food and medicine persist.

Agriculture Devastated
FAO’s latest analysis reveals that by the end of April, over 80 percent of Gaza’s agricultural land had been damaged, with around 78 percent of it now inaccessible. Only 4.6 percent of the land remains suitable for cultivation — approximately 688 hectares (about 1,700 acres).

The destruction is especially severe in Rafah in southern Gaza and certain areas in the north, where most farmland has become unusable. “Local production in Gaza has come to a complete standstill as arable land, greenhouses and water resources have been destroyed,” said Beth Bechdol, Deputy Director-General of the FAO.

Humanitarian and Economic Impact
Before the war, agriculture contributed around 10 percent to Gaza's economy, with about 560,000 people relying directly or indirectly on farming, livestock, or fishing.

Since the collapse of the ceasefire on March 18, at least 3,785 people have been killed, according to Gaza’s Health Ministry, bringing the total number of casualties in the ongoing conflict to 53,939 — the majority of whom are civilians.

The war began in October 2023 after Hamas launched a surprise attack on Israel, killing 1,218 people and kidnapping 251 others. Israel claims 57 hostages remain in Gaza, with 34 reported dead.

The combination of military escalation and agricultural devastation is expected to have long-lasting consequences on Gaza’s food security and humanitarian conditions.