18 December 2023, Geneva, Switzerland – New satellite imagery analysis conducted by the United Nations Satellite Center (UNOSAT) has uncovered distressing trends in the agricultural landscape of the Gaza Strip. Based on an assessment utilizing Sentinel-2 satellite imagery collected between December 2017 and December 2023, the findings illuminate the significant impact of the ongoing conflict on the health and density of crops.
Compared to the average of the previous six years, a staggering 18% of arable land in the Gaza Strip has experienced a substantial decline in health and density. This stark revelation emerges from a comprehensive analysis employing Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI) and multi-temporal classification techniques.
UNOSAT’s methodology focused on evaluating changes in agricultural areas, considering the period from 2017 to 2023. The assessment pinpointed December 2023 as a critical timeframe, revealing a noticeable deterioration in crop health and density compared to the preceding six seasons.
The decline observed in crop health is attributed to various conflict-related dynamics, including notably razing, heavy vehicle activity, bombing and shelling. The analysis extends beyond active crop fields, encompassing fallow lands and household gardens, offering a comprehensive view of the agricultural impact.
Fonte: UNITAR (United Nations Institute for Training and Research)