The two-year genocidal war on Gaza has inflicted unprecedented devastation on the Strip’s agricultural and livestock sectors, leading to an almost complete collapse of animal production and stripping the enclave of any capacity for self-sufficiency.
Official data shows that thousands of cows, sheep, goats, and poultry have died due to direct bombardment, severe feed shortages, and water scarcity. Simultaneously, massive damage has struck agricultural infrastructure—including barns, farms, and feed stores—deepening the already extreme levels of food insecurity in the besieged territory.
Near-Total Loss
In this context, Basil Hammad, adviser to the Minister of Agriculture for Gaza affairs, confirmed that the livestock sector suffered “near-complete destruction” by November 2025 due to continuous bombardment and military operations.
Hammad explained that cattle were the hardest hit, with almost the entire cow population wiped out, leaving only 73 cows in the entire Strip. Sheep also suffered devastating losses, with four-fifths of the herd perishing and only 11,394 surviving. Goats lost nearly two-thirds of their population, with fewer than 3,000 remaining.
Small animals also recorded extremely high mortality rates, exceeding three-quarters of the herd. The poultry sector experienced a near-total collapse, particularly broiler chickens, with only slightly more than 25,000 birds surviving.
Layer hens fared no better, with their numbers reduced to around 100,000, following the loss of more than two-thirds of the flock.
Overall, Gaza has lost 88% of its poultry production across all categories.
Working animals used for transportation and agriculture were the least affected, though nearly half of them also died.
In addition, Hammad emphasized that this widespread devastation has widened the food-insecurity gap, sharply reduced citizens’ access to animal protein, and coincided with the collapse of the fishing industry—which left about 4,000 fishermen without income. The situation has also triggered unprecedented price surges across the local market.
Deepening Price Crisis
Economist Ahmad Abu Qamar described the situation as a “crippling blow” to one of Gaza’s essential food-security pillars, noting that animal production has lost more than 95% of its capacity since the war began.
Abu Qamar clarified that direct losses in the livestock sector over two years of war are estimated at $150 million, in addition to indirect losses caused by the collapse of production chains that previously supplied Gaza’s markets with meat, eggs, and poultry.
He explained that shortages of feed and essential operating materials have made it nearly impossible to rebuild farms. This has driven prices sharply upward, burdening consumers—especially amid halted imports, severe challenges in breeding and vaccination, and the inability to replace lost herds.
Before the war, the sector contributed 11% to 13% of Gaza’s GDP. Its collapse, Abu Qamar said, played a major role in shrinking the Palestinian economy by more than 30% in 2024.
Black-Market Expansion
Abu Qamar added that the destruction of dozens of poultry farms—which before the war produced nearly 2 million chickens per month—has left Gaza almost entirely unable to rely on domestic production.
Government attempts to regulate imports have also failed due to the loss of control over border crossings and the growing influence of the black market. Products are now sold at double their normal prices, and coordination fees for incoming trucks have reached hundreds of thousands of shekels, placing enormous strain on both traders and consumers.
The crisis has extended beyond household consumption. Restaurants and food establishments are also on the brink of closure due to a severe gas shortage and record-high prices, with a kilogram of gas now costing around 80 shekels. Many small businesses have been forced to scale back operations—or shut down entirely.
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