Israel has destroyed nearly half of the agricultural lands in the Gaza Strip, causing devastation that may take years to recover from, according to an expert in satellite image analysis. In an interview with CNN, Dr. He Yeen, an assistant professor of geography at Kent State University in Ohio, stated, "What we see in the satellite images and data is truly devastating."
He added that he and his colleagues "observed pits, bulldozer tracks, and burn marks in images from space," explaining that "almost half of the agricultural land in Gaza has been destroyed." The geography professor confirmed that "the people of Gaza relied on external aid before the war due to insufficient cultivable land, and with nearly half of the agricultural lands gone, the situation can only be more dire."
He referenced two images of an agricultural area in Gaza, with the first dated May 10, 2023, and the second February 7, 2024, to illustrate the extent of the damage. The American academic also warned of the long-term implications for farmers for many years to come. He said, "It’s not as if the war could end now and farmers could plant trees and harvest next year." He clarified, "You can imagine that even if the war stopped now, there is no way for the agricultural sector to recover quickly. It’s a long-term impact."
