Gaza's Farmers Still Displaced, Forced to Plant in Limited Space
In the aftermath of the devastating 2025 war, many Gazans are struggling to return to their homes and lands. For Amro Abu Rabee, one farmer who was forced to flee his farm in northern Gaza just months earlier, life has become a daily struggle.
Amro's family lost everything when Israel ended a two-month ceasefire and ordered residents to evacuate in March 2025. His farm, which once brought them income through the sale of vegetables, lies beyond the so-called "yellow line," an area still occupied by the Israeli army. With no land to call their own, Amro has been forced to plant food crops in whatever space he can find in the Deir al-Balah camp.
"We've lost all our farmland," Amro told our team. "But we're using every centimetre we have here. We're planting so we can eat, and to preserve our dignity." Despite this, Amro's efforts are barely enough to meet their daily needs. "Compared with the acres of agricultural land that were bulldozed by the occupation, forcing us to abandon them, these small and narrow spaces we plant now barely cover any of our daily needs," he said.
The cost of food in Gaza is also extremely high, making it even more challenging for Amro's family to access basic necessities. "Even though vegetables and fruit are getting into the Gaza Strip, we have to buy them at the markets at prices much higher than they were before the war. That's why we are planting our own crops, hoping to grow the vegetables we need ourselves."
The situation is not unique to Amro's family. According to UN estimates, 98.5% of Gaza's farmland was damaged or inaccessible, with over 60% still located in zones occupied by the Israeli army. This has left farmers like Amro facing an uphill battle to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
With a new ceasefire in place since October 9, many had hoped that they would be able to return to their homes and lands. However, for Amro and his family, that remains a distant dream. Their farm is still under Israeli control, and the Israeli army continues to target anyone who tries to get near.
"We've been in this camp for two months now," Amro said. "We're surviving with minimal resources. The tents aren't enough to protect us from the cold in winter or the heat in summer." Despite the challenges, Amro remains determined to rebuild his life and create a better future for his family.
In the aftermath of the devastating 2025 war, many Gazans are struggling to return to their homes and lands. For Amro Abu Rabee, one farmer who was forced to flee his farm in northern Gaza just months earlier, life has become a daily struggle.
Amro's family lost everything when Israel ended a two-month ceasefire and ordered residents to evacuate in March 2025. His farm, which once brought them income through the sale of vegetables, lies beyond the so-called "yellow line," an area still occupied by the Israeli army. With no land to call their own, Amro has been forced to plant food crops in whatever space he can find in the Deir al-Balah camp.
"We've lost all our farmland," Amro told our team. "But we're using every centimetre we have here. We're planting so we can eat, and to preserve our dignity." Despite this, Amro's efforts are barely enough to meet their daily needs. "Compared with the acres of agricultural land that were bulldozed by the occupation, forcing us to abandon them, these small and narrow spaces we plant now barely cover any of our daily needs," he said.
The cost of food in Gaza is also extremely high, making it even more challenging for Amro's family to access basic necessities. "Even though vegetables and fruit are getting into the Gaza Strip, we have to buy them at the markets at prices much higher than they were before the war. That's why we are planting our own crops, hoping to grow the vegetables we need ourselves."
The situation is not unique to Amro's family. According to UN estimates, 98.5% of Gaza's farmland was damaged or inaccessible, with over 60% still located in zones occupied by the Israeli army. This has left farmers like Amro facing an uphill battle to rebuild their lives and livelihoods.
With a new ceasefire in place since October 9, many had hoped that they would be able to return to their homes and lands. However, for Amro and his family, that remains a distant dream. Their farm is still under Israeli control, and the Israeli army continues to target anyone who tries to get near.
"We've been in this camp for two months now," Amro said. "We're surviving with minimal resources. The tents aren't enough to protect us from the cold in winter or the heat in summer." Despite the challenges, Amro remains determined to rebuild his life and create a better future for his family.
u guys gotta be kidding me what's going on with gaza ppl are literally living in tiny spaces with no land 98.5% of their farmland is damaged or inaccessible its not just the war thats the problem its also the cost of food and access to basic necessities its like they r being squeezed from all sides 
.
.
.
. The fact that Amro's family has to buy veggies at higher prices than before the war because they're planting their own crops is just mind-boggling.
. I need to see more info on this and understand how the international community is responding to this crisis 
.
.
. As Amro said, his farm remains under Israeli control, and the army continues to target anyone who tries to get near. it's like they're being punished for trying to rebuild their lives.
. It's a testament to the human spirit and our capacity to adapt in the face of adversity 
at least they're making do with what they got, planting in every available space... not easy 
I feel so bad seeing people like Amro having to fight just to grow food for their own families... The situation is really tough for him and many others who lost their farmland in the war 
. I mean, 98.5% of Gaza's farmland was damaged or inaccessible - that's insane! 
And now they're stuck with these super small spaces to plant crops, barely enough to meet their daily needs 
. We should be doing more to help these farmers, especially after what they've been through 
.
. 98.5% of Gaza's farmland is gone, can you even imagine? It's like they're starting from scratch... no land, no resources, no hope 
.
. I'm not saying it's all doom and gloom, though - Amro's still got determination written all over his face 
.
. the prices in gaza are already super high, so when you can't even get your own crops, it's really tough to make ends meet 
. Amro's story is heartbreaking, but it's not just his family - it's all Gazans who've been displaced 
. According to UN estimates, over 60% of damaged farmland is still under Israeli control 
, but with the war, it's all but destroyed 
. The average Gazan family has lost around $20,000 in income due to the conflict