Gaza Farmers Rebuild Livelihoods Amid West Bank Settler Sieges

Palestinian farmers in Gaza are attempting to rebuild their livelihoods through small-scale projects, utilizing greenhouses and rented plots to cultivate crops amidst widespread destruction caused by the conflict. Mohammad al-Halabi, a 50-year-old farmer, is an example, tending tomatoes and eggplants on a 300-square-meter rented plot in the Nuseirat refugee camp after his 40,000 square meters of farmland in Jabalia were bulldozed by Israeli forces in February 2024. The United Nations Development Programme and the Food and Agriculture Organization are supporting these efforts, with the Food and Agriculture Organization scaling up its cash assistance program for around 1,500 Palestinian farmers in Gaza.

In the occupied West Bank, Israeli settlers have besieged Palestinian homes, drawing sharp condemnation from international observers. In the village of Qusra, three homes, including one owned by Palestinian American Loui Ridi, were surrounded for several days, trapping residents like Qusai Abu Raida and his teenage son inside. Settlers cut off water and electricity supplies, threw stones, and blocked access for medical care while Israeli forces were present during these events. U.S. Ambassador Mike Huckabee referred to the settlers' actions as a horrific act of terror, highlighting the escalating violence in the region.

Palestinian officials have reported 1,476 attacks by Israeli settlers, leading to 87 deaths by Israeli settlers and soldiers this year. Farmers in Gaza continue to face challenges due to ongoing military activity that limits access to essential production inputs like seeds and fertilizers. The international community watches closely as humanitarian agencies attempt to sustain vulnerable populations amidst ongoing regional instability and displacement.