Archive · 30 Jul 2026
Gaza Beekeepers Struggle to Rebuild Amid War Damage
After the war, many beekeepers in Gaza lost most of their hives and honey production fell a lot.
They now have to keep bees on rooftops and give them sugar because there are no trees or flowers to feed them.
The war also made it hard to get new hives or tools, and they can’t go into farmland because of a military line.
One beekeeper had to pay over 3,000 dollars for just three hives.
Even though it’s tough, they keep trying to bring back honey and help the bees survive.
Gaza’s war destroyed about 30,000 hives, leaving only around 700.
Honey production is now roughly 10% of pre‑war levels.
Beekeepers are using rooftop hives and sugar supplements because farmland is inaccessible.
Access to agricultural areas is restricted by a ceasefire demarcation line.
Beekeepers face high costs, such as 10,000 shekels for three hives.
- Who
- Gaza beekeepers, including Ibrahim al-Dabba, Fahd al-Dahdouh, and Rateb Sammour
- What
- Rebuilding beekeeping operations after war damage
- When
- Post-ceasefire last October, reported July 30, 2024
- Where
- Gaza, including Gaza City and Nuseirat
- Why
- To restore livelihoods and preserve pollinators amid destroyed farmland
- Hives before war
- 30,000
- Hives after war
- 700
- Honey production before war
- 400 metric tons annually
- Honey production after war
- 10% of pre-war
- Cost of 3 hives
- 10,000 shekels ($3,245)