Gaza’s food production is collapsing, with more than 80% of farmland damaged and most green houses destroyed according to the FAO of the United Nations. Its new report says, nearly the entire population faces severe food insecurity, prompting urgent calls for humanitarian aid to prevent famine.
Gaza’s ability to produce food is nearing total collapse, with less than five percent of cropland still usable, according to a new joint assessment by the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) and the UN Satellite Centre (UNOSAT).
As of April 2025, more than 80 percent of farmland had been damaged and nearly 78 percent was inaccessible. Just 688 hectares out of over 15,000 remain available for cultivation. The situation is particularly severe in Rafah and the northern governorates, where nearly all farmland cannot be reached.
Widespread destruction has also hit greenhouses, with over 70 percent damaged. Rafah experienced the sharpest rise in destruction, jumping from 57.5 percent in December 2024 to 86.5 percent in April. In Gaza City, all greenhouses have been destroyed.
One farmer, Oudai Issa Abdelrahman Al Faleet, who previously received an FAO project grant, said his family installed greenhouses on 8,000 square metres of land, but the war disrupted everything. He added that "two dunams of greenhouses were bulldozed, and the rest were damaged. The well and the agricultural warehouse, including all inputs, were also destroyed."
Before the war, agriculture contributed around 10 percent to Gaza’s economy and supported over half a million people. Earlier this year, the FAO estimated total losses in the sector at more than 2 billion dollars, with recovery needs around 4.2 billion. The collapse of the ceasefire has likely worsened those figures.
At the same time, a new food security analysis shows that Gaza’s entire population of about 2.1 million people is facing a critical risk of famine. Between April 1 and May 10, 93 percent were experiencing Crisis-level food insecurity or worse. Nearly 250,000 are already in Phase 5, classified as Catastrophe, a level where starvation is already taking place.
According to projections, around 470,000 people, or 22 percent of the population, could face catastrophic food insecurity between May and September 2025.
The UN is urging immediate humanitarian access and the lifting of restrictions to prevent a full-scale famine.
The Gaza Humanitarian Foundation, a U.S.-backed private aid group, announced Monday that it has begun distributing food aid in Gaza, with more shipments expected to arrive on Tuesday.
The ICRC says two of its workers were killed in Khan Younis following an Israeli airstrike.
European and Arab lawmakers have met in Madrid to push for an end to the Gaza war and demand unrestricted humanitarian aid access.
Spain has brought together foreign ministers from the European Union and Arab nations in Madrid for urgent talks aimed at addressing the escalating conflict in Gaza and advancing diplomatic efforts toward a ceasefire.
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu harshly criticized UK’s Starmer, France’s Macron, and Canada’s Carney for urging a halt to Israel’s military action in Gaza, accusing them of siding with Hamas and undermining justice.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 29th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A navy patrol plane crashed near the eastern mountains of Pohang, South Korea, on Thursday, with smoke reported from the site.
A Brazilian criminal group known as C4 allegedly conspired to assassinate lawmakers and judges using rifles, explosives, and hired lures—prompting a nationwide police operation that has so far led to five arrests.
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan strengthen aviation ties through a collaborative meeting focused on improving flight safety and personnel training.
Foreign investors continue to retreat from Japan's long-term bonds for a fourth week, amid inflation and fiscal uncertainty, while stock markets remain a bright spot.
AnewZ takes to the streets of Yerevan and Baku to ask a simple yet deeply complex question: How do you see peace between Armenia and Azerbaijan? In the first part of our special report, we hear the hopes, doubts, and scars still shaping people’s perspectives on both sides.
On May 28, the inauguration ceremony of Lachin International Airport was held.
A car drove into crowds of Liverpool fans celebrating the club’s Premier League title in the city centre on Monday evening, injuring dozens including 4 children. A 53-year-old man believed to be the driver was arrested at the scene.
EU ministers have greenlit a massive €150 billion defense investment fund—dubbed the Security Action for Europe (SAFE)—as the bloc ramps up its military readiness in response to Russia’s aggression and growing uncertainty over U.S. security guarantees.
Kyiv faced a large-scale Russian drone and missile assault overnight, with explosions and gunfire echoing throughout the city, forcing residents to shelter in subway stations.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 29th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A navy patrol plane crashed near the eastern mountains of Pohang, South Korea, on Thursday, with smoke reported from the site.
A Brazilian criminal group known as C4 allegedly conspired to assassinate lawmakers and judges using rifles, explosives, and hired lures—prompting a nationwide police operation that has so far led to five arrests.
South Korea opened early voting for its upcoming presidential election on Thursday, with a record turnout as voters prepare to choose a new leader following President Yoon Suk Yeol’s removal from office.
Elon Musk has officially stepped down from his role in the Trump administration, bringing an end to his involvement in the Department of Government Efficiency (DOGE), a cost-cutting initiative he helped lead.
Start your day informed with AnewZ Morning Brief: here are the top news stories for May 29th, covering the latest developments you need to know.
A navy patrol plane crashed near the eastern mountains of Pohang, South Korea, on Thursday, with smoke reported from the site.
A Brazilian criminal group known as C4 allegedly conspired to assassinate lawmakers and judges using rifles, explosives, and hired lures—prompting a nationwide police operation that has so far led to five arrests.
Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan strengthen aviation ties through a collaborative meeting focused on improving flight safety and personnel training.
Foreign investors continue to retreat from Japan's long-term bonds for a fourth week, amid inflation and fiscal uncertainty, while stock markets remain a bright spot.
You can download the AnewZ application from Play Store and the App Store.
What is your opinion on this topic?
Leave the first comment