Nearly one million of Gaza’s 1.1 million olive trees have been destroyed since October 2023, largely through bulldozing, drought, and lack of access caused by the war. As a result, Gaza’s farmers are facing a third year without a real olive harvest, and the once-central olive oil industry has collapsed.

Extreme water shortages, the destruction of cropland (with 98.5% damaged or inaccessible), and the loss of most olive presses have pushed production costs sharply upward. Olive oil prices have doubled to about 100 shekels per liter, placing it out of reach for many families.

More than 10,000 families who depended on olive farming have lost their livelihoods. Farmers describe profound personal and cultural loss, as olive cultivation is deeply tied to Palestinian identity. Despite devastation, some farmers continue returning to their groves in acts of resilience, trying to preserve what remains.

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