Gazan beekeepers struggle to recover after war wipes out honey production

Gazan beekeepers are struggling to rebuild after the war destroyed most of their hives and honey production. Before the war, there were around 30,000 hives; now only about 700 remain. Honey production is at just 10% of pre-war levels. Beekeepers are placing hives on rooftops due to destroyed farmland and restricted access to agricultural areas near the border.

Gazan beekeepers are struggling to recover after more than two years of war wiped out most of their honey production. Before the war, Gaza had around 30,000 hives producing roughly 200 metric tons of honey annually. Now only about 700 hives remain, and production is at just 10% of pre-war levels, according to beekeeper and agricultural engineer Rateb Sammour. Beekeepers like Ibrahim al-Dabba are placing hives on rooftops because farmland is destroyed or inaccessible. Access to agricultural areas near the border is restricted due to a military demarcation line. Some beekeepers use sugar supplements to feed bees where forage is lacking. The ceasefire in October 2025 halted major fighting, but reconstruction has stalled. Beekeepers face high costs: Dabba paid NIS 10,000 ($3,245) for just three hives. In Nuseirat, Fahd al-Dahdouh repairs shattered hive boxes recovered from destroyed farming areas. The article frames the struggle as both an economic and ecological challenge, highlighting the loss of pollinators in a devastated territory.