GAZA, Sept. 26 (Xinhua) -- In Deir al-Balah, central Gaza, Musa Baraka surveys his orchard with a mix of resignation and despair. The 55-year-old farmer's land, once teeming with over 100 thriving palm trees, now tells a story of war's far-reaching consequences.
"Last year's harvest was far superior in both quantity and quality," Baraka said, cradling a handful of red dates. This year, he's only managed to harvest half his crop, with displaced families seeking refuge among his groves.
The ongoing Israel-Hamas conflict, which erupted on Oct. 7, 2023, has cast a long shadow over Gaza's agricultural sector. The date harvest, typically a cornerstone of the enclave's economy, has been particularly hard hit.
Farmers face a multitude of challenges. The Israeli military operation has cut off electricity and fuel supplies, crippling the irrigation systems vital for date cultivation. Many growers, like Rami Nazmi, 32, find themselves unable to access their lands due to safety concerns.
"In previous years, we exported dates to the West Bank and Arab countries," Nazmi explained. "Now, that's impossible. We've lost a crucial source of income."
The local market offers little solace. With unemployment and poverty rates soaring due to the conflict, demand for dates -- even during the traditional harvest season -- has plummeted.
Thirty-year-old Mohammed Shukri, who relied on seasonal work in the date orchards, exemplifies the ripple effects of the agricultural downturn. "I used to earn 30 to 40 dollars a day during harvest season," he said. "This year, there's simply no work to be found."
According to the Hamas-run Ministry of Agriculture in Gaza, the strip boasted about 240,000 palm trees before the conflict, with 180,000 bearing fruit. The Palestinian Ministry of Agriculture in Ramallah estimates that the war is costing Gaza's agricultural sector approximately 2 million U.S. dollars per day.
The date harvest, known locally as "red gold," traditionally runs from mid-September to mid-November. It's not just an economic lifeline but a cultural touchstone, with farmers like Baraka still employing traditional harvesting methods, scaling trees with sturdy ropes.
As the conflict grinds on, the future of Gaza's date industry hangs in the balance. The Palestinian death toll from Israeli attacks has exceeded 41,000, according to Gaza health authorities. Israel's offensive came in response to a Hamas attack on Oct. 7, 2023, which killed about 1,200 people and saw around 250 taken hostage.
For farmers like Baraka, the hope for peace is intertwined with dreams of agricultural recovery. "I pray this war ends soon," he said, gazing at his diminished harvest. "Only then can we begin to rebuild what we've lost." ■
