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In Gaza, 'an estimated 22% of agricultural land' has been destroyed since the start of the conflict [1]

['Guillaume Maurice']

Date: 2023-12-12

The Israeli operation in the Gaza Strip has destroyed a vast amount of agricultural land. Satellite images are the only way of observing the damage amid ongoing, fierce fighting. According to one analyst, 22% of arable land has already been destroyed, and the fighting will leave a lasting mark on the Palestinian enclave.

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Since the end of October 2023, the intervention of Israeli forces on the ground has caused a great deal of damage in urban areas. However, the Gaza Strip also has areas dedicated to agriculture and farming. In total, 25% of Gaza's territory is arable land.

The destruction of this agricultural land is a vital loss for the area's inhabitants. Using satellite images, the FRANCE 24 Observers team was able to identify several areas of farmland that have been destroyed by Israeli tanks and bulldozers.

These two images show that between September 27 and December 11, a large amount of green space was destroyed.

'Damage includes greenhouses, olive groves and fields'

According to researcher Wim Zwijnenburg, a specialist in environmental issues in conflict zones and a researcher at the NGO Pax for Peace, it is possible to quantify the scale of the damage:

It is estimated that 22% of Gaza's agricultural land has been destroyed by the intervention. This damage includes greenhouses, olive groves and fields. It is already possible to track and highlight the destruction by comparing different types of land and vegetation.

In Beit Hanoun, Israeli ground operations began on October 29.

10月30日，ガザ地区の北東端におけるイスラエル軍車両の走行跡。南西の市街地に迫っています。(31.55276° N, 34.55328° E) pic.twitter.com/bIODXKZYJG — 渡邉英徳 wtnv (@hwtnv) October 31, 2023 The first traces of armoured vehicles in Gaza date from October 30.

At the outset of operations in the region, some fields were destroyed by Israeli army vehicles. This is clear if we compare these two satellite images, one taken on October 12 - before the troops arrived - and the other on December 1.

In these images taken on September 27 and December 1, you can see the destruction of several plots of land as a result of Israeli troop movements.

In these images taken on September 27 and December 1, 2023, using the Sentinel II satellite, you can see the destruction of arable land to the north and south of the Erez crossing point in the Beit Hanoun region.

Human Rights Watch was also able to identify traces of Israeli bulldozers in certain arable areas north of Beit Hanoun. The machines were used to build mounds of earth to protect advancing troops.

High resolution satellite imagery shows bulldozers were used to destroy fields and orchards. Tracks are visible, as well as mounds of earth on the edges of the former plots. Israeli forces have used armored bulldozers for years, including in the post Oct 7 offensive in Gaza. 7/14 pic.twitter.com/V3f4OqjCVq — Human Rights Watch (@hrw) December 4, 2023 Thanks to high-definition satellite images provided by Planet, Human Rights Watch was able to document the destruction of agricultural plots by Israeli bulldozers.

Bombardments could contaminate soil

As well as destroying arable land, ongoing bombardments could contaminate Gaza's soil. According to Zwijnenburg, Israeli strikes will affect the ecosystem of the Palestinian enclave over the long term.

After the conflict, the millions of pieces of rubble, many of which are made up of dangerous materials such as asbestos, will have to be managed. If they are not treated properly, they could contaminate the soil.

In order to detect potentially contaminated areas, Zwijnenburg uses a very precise methodology.

For damage to industrial infrastructure, we use social networks and then try to geolocate the images. Then we use Planet's satellite images to understand whether or not the buildings are damaged. We also use UN databases on water towers, water treatment plants and other vital infrastructure.

Destruction in the Deir al-Balah sector

The FRANCE 24 Observers team was also able to geolocate several fields that had been razed in the Deir al-Balah area. This damage took place in December when the fighting resumed after a 7-day ceasefire. Here, it is possible to see extensive damage 3 km north of the town of Khan Younis.

These satellite images show that the degradation of arable land began betwee December 1 and 6.

It's impossible to determine the precise cause of this destruction. However, the presence of armoured vehicles in the region is well documented. The New York Times spotted Israeli army tanks in the Deir al-Balah region.

@Geoconfirmed



Israeli Soldiers Start Invasion of Gaza’s South, Satellite Images Show.

31.3890, 34.3424 31.3906, 34.3373

31.3915, 34.3461https://t.co/H0dwItmwqn pic.twitter.com/haG3dScflU — AS-22 (@AS_22ws) December 5, 2023 On X, this analyst managed to geolocate the presence of several tanks on former farmland.

According to the New York Times, the troops were there to prepare for a potential offensive on the town of Khan Younis.

A Gazan agricultural sector under attack before the Israeli ground intervention

Before October 7, farmers in Gaza were already suffering from Israeli operations, in particular the use of pesticides by the Israeli army to sterilise the land. This threat prompted them to build greenhouses to protect their crops.

These greenhouses were also targeted by the Israeli strikes. UNOSAT, the UN department responsible for satellite images, was able to obtain evidence of the destruction of some of these plantations.

This is not the first time that property and farmland have come under threat in Gaza due to Israeli intervention. Farmers in the West Bank also report the destruction and seizure of their land by Israeli settlers.

On November 28, the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics estimated that Gaza was losing around $1.6 million (€1.49 million) every day.

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[1] Url: https://observers.france24.com/en/middle-east/20231212-in-gaza-an-estimated-22-of-agricultural-land-has-been-destroyed-since-the-start-of-the-conflict

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