In Gaza, 'an estimated 22% of agricultural land' has been destroyed since the start of the conflict

Since the end of October 2023, the intervention of Israeli forces on the ground has caused a great deal of damage in urban areas. However, the Gaza Strip also has areas dedicated to agriculture and farming. In total, 25% of Gaza's territory is arable land.

The destruction of this agricultural land is a vital loss for the area's inhabitants. Using satellite images, the FRANCE 24 Observers team was able to identify several areas of farmland that have been destroyed by Israeli tanks and bulldozers.

'Damage includes greenhouses, olive groves and fields'

According to researcher Wim Zwijnenburg, a specialist in environmental issues in conflict zones and a researcher at the NGO Pax for Peace, it is possible to quantify the scale of the damage:

It is estimated that 22% of Gaza's agricultural land has been destroyed by the intervention. This damage includes greenhouses, olive groves and fields. It is already possible to track and highlight the destruction by comparing different types of land and vegetation.

In Beit Hanoun, Israeli ground operations began on October 29.

At the outset of operations in the region, some fields were destroyed by Israeli army vehicles. This is clear if we compare these two satellite images, one taken on October 12 - before the troops arrived - and the other on December 1.

Human Rights Watch was also able to identify traces of Israeli bulldozers in certain arable areas north of Beit Hanoun. The machines were used to build mounds of earth to protect advancing troops.

Bombardments could contaminate soil

As well as destroying arable land, ongoing bombardments could contaminate Gaza's soil. According to Zwijnenburg, Israeli strikes will affect the ecosystem of the Palestinian enclave over the long term.

After the conflict, the millions of pieces of rubble, many of which are made up of dangerous materials such as asbestos, will have to be managed. If they are not treated properly, they could contaminate the soil.

In order to detect potentially contaminated areas, Zwijnenburg uses a very precise methodology.

For damage to industrial infrastructure, we use social networks and then try to geolocate the images. Then we use Planet's satellite images to understand whether or not the buildings are damaged. We also use UN databases on water towers, water treatment plants and other vital infrastructure.

Destruction in the Deir al-Balah sector

The FRANCE 24 Observers team was also able to geolocate several fields that had been razed in the Deir al-Balah area. This damage took place in December when the fighting resumed after a 7-day ceasefire. Here, it is possible to see extensive damage 3 km north of the town of Khan Younis.

It's impossible to determine the precise cause of this destruction. However, the presence of armoured vehicles in the region is well documented. The New York Times spotted Israeli army tanks in the Deir al-Balah region.

A Gazan agricultural sector under attack before the Israeli ground intervention

Before October 7, farmers in Gaza were already suffering from Israeli operations, in particular the use of pesticides by the Israeli army to sterilise the land. This threat prompted them to build greenhouses to protect their crops.

These greenhouses were also targeted by the Israeli strikes. UNOSAT, the UN department responsible for satellite images, was able to obtain evidence of the destruction of some of these plantations.

This is not the first time that property and farmland have come under threat in Gaza due to Israeli intervention. Farmers in the West Bank also report the destruction and seizure of their land by Israeli settlers. 

On November 28, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics estimated that Gaza was losing around $1.6 million (€1.49 million) every day.