Here is the rephrased and plagiarism-free version of the content:
In April 2024, satellite images of the Gaza Strip reveal a stark transformation. Once lush green agricultural lands have now turned a desolate brown, stretching from the northern to the southern regions of the Strip.
Israel's ongoing invasion, now over six months long, has inflicted severe damage on Gaza's ability to produce food and access clean water. Israeli airstrikes and the use of bulldozers have left farms and orchards in ruins. Many farmers, seeking safety in the south, have abandoned their crops, leading to their withering, and leaving cattle to perish.
One such farmer is Ashraf Omar Alakhras, who owned a family farm in Beit Lahia, near Gaza's northern border with Israel. Alakhras recounted how, in late January, Israeli bulldozers destroyed his farm, including greenhouses and solar energy projects, to create a militarized buffer zone. He shared images and videos of a life and livelihood that are now lost, saying, "We worked on our large farm that we inherited from our ancestors. We grew oranges, lemons, potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, and cucumbers."
The story of Alakhras's farm is emblematic of the wider agricultural crisis in Gaza. An analysis by The Washington Post, using agricultural data, satellite imagery, and expert interviews, reveals that Gaza's already fragile agricultural system is on the brink of collapse.
In response to inquiries about the extent of destruction in Gaza's agricultural sector, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their actions are in response to the unlawful embedding of military assets by Hamas and other terror organizations in civilian areas. The IDF maintains that their actions are in accordance with international law and based on military necessity.
Even before the current conflict, Gaza faced significant challenges in feeding its population due to a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt since Hamas took power in 2007. This blockade severely limited access to essential resources, including electricity, water, and restricted the import and export of goods, making agriculture and fishing vital but small-scale activities in the region.
Local produce, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, herbs, and chile peppers, formed a significant portion of the diet in Gaza. However, the destruction caused by the current conflict has severely impacted agricultural output. According to UNOSAT, nearly half of Gaza's olive and fruit trees have been damaged or destroyed, with some areas experiencing up to 71% losses.
The destruction extends beyond crops to infrastructure, including water supply systems. In some parts of Gaza, up to 54% of the water supply infrastructure is unusable, further exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The destruction caused by the conflict in Gaza is a man-made disaster, according to Maximo Torero, chief economist at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. The level of food insecurity in Gaza has reached a critical stage, with thousands, and potentially hundreds of thousands, of lives at risk.
Rebuilding Gaza's agricultural sector and water supply infrastructure could take decades, according to experts. The road to recovery will be long and arduous, requiring unprecedented efforts to restore what has been lost.
Here's a revised version of the content:
In April 2024, Gaza Strip's satellite images depict a dramatic change. Its once green agricultural lands now appear brown, indicating extensive damage from north to south.
Israel's invasion of Gaza, ongoing for over six months, has severely disrupted the Strip's food and clean water production. Israeli airstrikes and bulldozers have destroyed farms and orchards. Farmers, seeking safety in southern Gaza, have abandoned their crops, resulting in withered plants and neglected livestock.
One affected farmer is Ashraf Omar Alakhras, who owned a family farm in Beit Lahia, near Gaza's northern border with Israel. Alakhras described how, in late January, Israeli bulldozers demolished his farm, including greenhouses and solar energy projects, to create a militarized buffer zone. He shared photos and videos of a life now lost, saying, "We worked on our large farm that we inherited from our ancestors. We grew oranges, lemons, potatoes, eggplant, tomatoes, and cucumbers."
The fate of Alakhras's farm mirrors the broader agricultural crisis in Gaza. An analysis by The Washington Post, using agricultural data, satellite imagery, and expert interviews, reveals that Gaza's agricultural system is on the verge of collapse.
In response to inquiries about the destruction in Gaza's agricultural sector, the Israel Defense Forces (IDF) stated that their actions are in response to the unlawful embedding of military assets by Hamas and other terror organizations in civilian areas. The IDF maintains that their actions comply with international law and are based on military necessity.
Even before the conflict, Gaza faced challenges in feeding its population due to a blockade imposed by Israel and Egypt since Hamas took power in 2007. This blockade severely limited access to resources, including electricity, water, and restricted the import and export of goods, making agriculture and fishing vital but small-scale activities in the region.
Local produce, such as tomatoes, cucumbers, eggplants, herbs, and chile peppers, formed a significant portion of Gaza's diet. However, the current conflict has severely impacted agricultural output. According to UNOSAT, nearly half of Gaza's olive and fruit trees have been damaged or destroyed, with some areas experiencing up to 71% losses.
The destruction extends beyond crops to infrastructure, including water supply systems. In some parts of Gaza, up to 54% of the water supply infrastructure is unusable, exacerbating the humanitarian crisis in the region.
The conflict in Gaza has created a man-made disaster, according to Maximo Torero, chief economist at the U.N. Food and Agriculture Organization. The level of food insecurity in Gaza has reached a critical stage, with thousands, and potentially hundreds of thousands, of lives at risk.
Rebuilding Gaza's agricultural sector and water supply infrastructure could take decades, according to experts. The road to recovery will be long and challenging, requiring unprecedented efforts to restore what has been lost.