Gaza’s Olive Season Falters for Third Straight Year Amid War

Gaza’s olive season is suffering a sharp decline for the third consecutive year, as Israel’s war devastates groves and leaves growers struggling to sustain what remains.

The bulldozing and destruction of most olive trees across the territory have severely reduced the basis for the harvest. The damage extends beyond a single season, stripping away trees on which future production depends.

Surviving groves face shortages of water and fertiliser, making it harder to maintain trees already exposed to the effects of war. Those shortages compound the losses caused by the destruction of agricultural land.

Soaring production costs add another obstacle for growers trying to keep their remaining trees productive. Together, the destruction, scarce supplies and high expenses are driving the continued contraction of Gaza’s olive season.