Gaza: Olive trees decline from 2 million to 150,000 due to genocide

The Israeli war on Gaza has led to the destruction of most olive groves, with the number of trees dropping from about 2 million to 150,000, and the expected harvest falling from 40,000 tons to 5,000 tons. The article tells the story of Haidar Abu Madin, 60, who lost his orchard that spanned 220 dunams in central Gaza, leaving only 20-30 trees.

The Israeli war on Gaza has caused widespread destruction of olive groves, a pillar of the agricultural and food economy in the Strip. The number of olive trees has dropped from about 2 million before the war to just 150,000, and the expected harvest has fallen from 40,000 tons to 5,000 tons. The article focuses on the story of Haidar Abu Madin (60), who owned with his family an olive orchard spanning 220 dunams in central Gaza, which produced between 1,100 and 1,500 tons of olives annually, pressed to produce up to 900 barrels of 16 liters of oil each. Today, about half of the orchard lies behind the yellow line where Israeli occupation forces are deployed, preventing Palestinians from accessing it, and the other half has been bulldozed by the occupation. Only about 20-30 trees remain. Abu Madin estimates that his harvest this year will yield only two barrels of oil, not enough even for his family. Before the war, olives were the crown of agriculture in Gaza and a main source of income, with surplus production being exported.