Gaza / PNN / 

Beekeepers in the Gaza Strip, like many other sectors of daily life, are facing catastrophic losses exceeding 90 percent since the start of the latest Israeli offensive. Agricultural lands, trees, and crops that once provided forage for bees have been destroyed, leaving little for bees to sustain honey production. Many farmers and beekeepers have lost a significant number of hives, their primary source of income, due to airstrikes and land devastation.

Hajj Naif Suleiman, a beekeeper and farmer in central Gaza, said the Israeli army wiped out areas where his hives were located in the eastern region, which they relied upon year-round. “The area was completely destroyed, causing us material losses of no less than 90 percent,” he said. Suleiman added that he once had around 400 hives, and now he has about 100 remaining.

A visit to his farm reveals empty boxes where hives once thrived, killed by bombing that targeted trees, soil, and bee colonies. Farmers struggled to provide forage for their bees after the destruction of natural resources, even mixing sugar with water to sustain them in an effort to keep the hives alive.

“The spring season is critical for bees,” Suleiman explained. “They mainly feed on orange blossoms and other citrus flowers. In September and October, hives are often moved to the eastern areas near Israeli settlements where acacia plants are abundant, providing food for the bees. If the bees cannot store enough food, we supplement with water and sugar to keep the hives alive.”

Sami Al-Masdar, another beekeeper from central Gaza, said the occupation’s land clearance policies have left beekeepers without suitable forage or natural resources needed for 100 percent natural honey production. “This sector has been destroyed by wars,” he said, adding that he, like other beekeepers in Gaza, is attempting to restore what remains of his hives despite numerous challenges.

Sami said with a voice full of pain that before the war, he owned 150 hives, but now he has only 14 due to the destruction of farmland, trees, and citrus groves. “I hope to rebuild and restore my hives and restart my farm after the losses caused by the Israeli offensive,” he said.

Hope and Determination to Rebuild

Hajj Naif remains determined to rebuild his farm and replace lost hives despite the devastation. He called on relevant agricultural authorities to provide bees, supplies, and medicines for common bee diseases such as Varroa and Acarine, which are currently unavailable. He also urged support in providing sugar and water to feed the remaining bees and replace lost forage. “I am ready to purchase supplies with my own money if they are provided,” he said, noting that losses among beekeepers exceed 90 to 95 percent.

He explained that beekeepers can expand a surviving 100-hive farm into 400 hives by dividing and feeding them—if sugar and medicine were available. “Without sugar and medicine, bees die or abandon the hives,” he said.

Sami Yusuf addressed the world directly, calling for attention to Gaza. “The occupation has destroyed everything here—trees, nature, and natural resources. Yet, we are determined to rebuild what remains,” he said.

This story was produced under the “Qarib” program, implemented by the French Media Development Agency CFI in partnership with and funded by the French Development Agency AFD.