ROME, ITALY — Nearly 70% of cropland in the war-torn Gaza Strip had been damaged as of Sept. 1, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations and the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT).

The satellite data showed escalating damage to farmland and agricultural infrastructure, further exacerbating the humanitarian and hunger crisis resulting from the ongoing conflict with Israel. The war began a year ago today (Oct. 7) when Iran-backed Hamas, which is based in the Gaza Strip, launched a surprise attack on Israel with a barrage of rockets. Israel mounted an aggressive counter offensive that is ongoing.

The satellite images showed nearly 68% (10,183 hectares) of Gaza’s cropland as damaged. This is up from 57% (8,660 hectares) in May and 43% (6,694 hectares) in February. The latest figure indicates 71% of orchards and other trees, 67% of field crops, and nearly 59% of vegetables have been damaged.

The images indicate that heavy vehicle tracks, razing, shelling, and other conflict-related pressures have also significantly damaged Gaza’s agricultural infrastructure.

“This satellite analysis provides critical insights to support humanitarian efforts as the conflict continues to impact Gaza’s agricultural sector,” said Nikhil Seth, executive director of the United Nations Institute for Training and Research (UNITAR).

Beth Bechdol, FAO deputy director-general, said the extent of the damage to 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,” she said. “This damage to agricultural land compounds the imminent risk of famine in the whole Gaza Strip.

While Gaza’s biggest crops are fruits and vegetables, the territory does produce a few thousand tonnes of wheat, according to the Palestinian Agriculture Ministry.

Bechdol said more than 2 million Gazans are still in urgent need of food and livelihood assistance as humanitarian access remains restricted.

Other findings from the satellite assessment include:

  • Khan Younis has the largest area of damaged cropland (2,589 hectares or 61.5%), while North Gaza has the highest proportion of damage per governorate (78%).
  • The Port of Gaza City has been severely damaged, with most fishing boats destroyed.
  • Almost 95% (about 15,000 head) of cattle have died, and nearly all calves have been slaughtered.
  • Around 43% of sheep (less than 25,000 head) and 37% of goats (about 3,000 head) remain alive.
  • Dramatic losses are reported in the poultry sector, with only 1% alive, as commercial poultry production largely has ceased, with most operations now limited to household-level production for self-consumption.

“The conflict has removed access to critical sources of protein and nutritious foods and continues to devastate peoples’ livelihoods,” the FAO said. “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.”