DaysofPal – When the ceasefire in Gaza took effect in October, Palestinian farmer Mohammed al-Slakhy and his family immediately returned to their land in the Zeitoun area of Gaza City. After more than two years of war and widespread destruction, they hoped to rebuild what had been lost.
The family spent months clearing rubble from flattened greenhouses and damaged farmland. With scarce resources, they prepared the soil and planted courgettes, aiming for a spring harvest. The effort marked a fragile step toward recovery, yet danger remains constant. Israeli tanks are stationed a few hundred meters away, and gunfire is frequently heard near the fields.
Before the war, Mohammed’s farm produced abundant vegetables for local markets and for export to the occupied West Bank and other destinations. More than three hectares of greenhouses were destroyed. His irrigation network, nine wells, two solar power systems, and two desalination plants were wiped out.
Expanding Buffer Zones Shrink Farmland
The devastation mirrors the broader collapse of Gaza’s agricultural sector. A July 2025 report by the United Nations Food and Agriculture Organization found that over 80 percent of Gaza’s cropland had been damaged, leaving less than 5 percent available for cultivation.
Large areas of farmland now fall within what Israel designates as a security buffer zone. Israel controls about 58 percent of the Gaza Strip, covering territory in the east, north, and south. Much of this land had been used for agriculture. Mohammed can access only one hectare of the 22 hectares his family cultivated before the war. The remaining land lies inside the buffer zone.
The single accessible hectare sits about 200 meters from the “yellow line” marking the boundary of Israeli-controlled areas. Tanks frequently approach and open fire, according to Mohammed.
On February 12, Israeli forces advanced into Salah al-Din Street and fired toward nearby areas. Two Palestinians were killed and at least four were wounded. Mohammed sheltered behind a damaged building for over an hour before escaping.
In central Gaza, 75-year-old farmer Eid al-Taaban faces similar risks. His land in Deir el-Balah lies roughly 300 meters from the yellow line. He planted eggplants after the ceasefire but says expansion of the buffer zone prevents him from harvesting. Gunfire from heavy machine guns is heard daily. On February 6, Palestinian news agency Wafa reported that farmer Khaled Baraka was killed while working his land in eastern Deir el-Balah. Baraka was Eid’s neighbor.
Blockade and Market Pressures Deepen Losses
The Israeli blockade presents another major obstacle. Since October 7, 2023, the entry of agricultural supplies such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, irrigation equipment, and tractors has been heavily restricted. Shortages are widespread, and prices have surged.
Even when materials are obtained, their quality is uncertain. Eid invested heavily in tomato crops, only to discover that the fertilizers and pesticides he purchased were ineffective, forcing him to replant.
Farmers also face unstable market conditions. Crossings are sometimes closed, while imported goods flood local markets at lower prices. Waleed Miqdad, a produce wholesaler, says this practice undercuts Palestinian farmers. Although local produce remains known for its quality, many residents cannot afford higher prices after the economic devastation of the war. Mohammed recently sold crops below production cost to avoid watching them spoil. He reports receiving no compensation or support.
Despite the destruction, Gaza’s farmers remain determined. Agriculture has long provided both livelihood and cultural identity. Mohammed says he will continue cultivating whatever land he can access and pass this commitment to his children.
Eid, who traces his family’s farming roots to Beersheba before 1948, continues working his fields at 75. He says the knowledge and attachment to the land have been handed down through generations and will endure despite displacement and hardship.
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