Israel’s continuing attacks against Hamas are causing massive collateral damage to agricultural livelihoods and food supplies in the Gaza Strip. More than one third of agricultural lands in Gaza have been damaged since the outbreak of the war on October 7, 2023, according to analysis based on satellite imagery by the United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) and the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO).
The tool compares the density and health of vegetation and crops over the past six agricultural seasons, using a method known as Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) analysis as well as a multi-temporal classification to identify notable changes taking place in agricultural areas since October 7. The map compares the situation in April 2024 to that shortly after the start of the conflict, with damaged areas marked in red.
The recent study from April 2024 looked at damage to farmland in the Gaza Strip. The study found that farmland covers about 49% of the Gaza Strip's total area. Compared to the previous seven years, around 45% of the permanent crops and farmland in Gaza were in worse condition in April 2024. The amount of damaged farmland increased by 33% since January 2024. The Khan Yunis area saw a 30% increase in damaged farmland compared to January. The Rafah area also had a big jump, going from 11% damaged in January to 43% damaged in April. These are initial findings that still need to be checked on the ground.
The interactive map
Click on "swipe" at upper right and swipe vertical line across the map to show difference between October 2023 and April 2024, or with swipe option off, click on inset map at lower left to toggle between the two dates.