Envisioning Post-Conflict Agroecological Reconstruction in Gaza

Context

The ongoing conflict in Gaza has precipitated one of the most severe ecological and agricultural collapses of the 21st century. With over 90% of the population displaced and upwards of 68% of Gaza’s farmland destroyed, the region now faces not only humanitarian devastation but systemic environmental breakdown. In this context, agroecological reconstruction emerges as both a moral imperative and a practical pathway for recovery, food sovereignty, and long-term resilience.

Military operations have left extensive environmental degradation. Destruction of water infrastructure, including desalination plants, wastewater treatment facilities, and irrigation systems, has led to widespread contamination and water scarcity. Coastal aquifers are polluted with heavy metals and white phosphorus, contributing to salinization and ecosystem collapse. Nearly 70% of tree crops and 65% of greenhouses have been damaged, undermining both food production and climate regulation.

Furthermore, the use of white phosphorus munitions has chemically altered soil composition, disrupted microbial communities, and rendered vast tracts infertile. These damages cascade into marine and terrestrial biodiversity loss, with significant GHG emissions (estimated at 281,000+ MT CO₂e in just the first two months of conflict) accelerating climate-related vulnerabilities.

A Multidimensional Agroecological Reconstruction Plan

A robust post-conflict recovery strategy must center agroecology, integrating ecological restoration, local knowledge systems, and sociopolitical sovereignty. The potential framework includes the following core interventions:

1. Agricultural and Soil Restoration

• Soil Remediation: Grid-based soil testing using NIR spectroscopy and AI-integrated remote sensing to assess contamination and degradation.
• Biochar and Organic Inputs: Applied to stabilize soil organic carbon and detoxify explosive residues.
• Salt-Tolerant and N-Fixing Crops: Cultivation of barley, pigeon pea, and mustard for soil regeneration and food security.
• Agroforestry: Alley cropping with moringa, fig, and olive trees to prevent erosion and provide ecological buffers.

2. Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene (WASH) Rebuilding

• Climate-Smart WASH Systems: Reconstruct decentralized water systems with solar-powered drip irrigation and greywater reuse supported by biofiltration.
• Aquifer Rehabilitation: Rainwater harvesting, wetland reconstruction, and LiDAR-based GIS mapping to manage salinization risks.

3. Integrated Livestock Management

• Silvopasture and Grazing Systems: Combine tree crops with small ruminants to restore pastureland and reduce methane emissions.
• Manure Circularity: Integrate livestock waste into nutrient cycling via anaerobic digesters and biofertilizers.
• Remote Livestock Health Monitoring: AI-driven mobile apps to track disease and improve animal welfare.

4. Marine and Biodiversity Recovery

• Restoration of Wadi Gaza and Coastal Wetlands: Ongoing habitat and species restoration, supported by camera traps, eDNA sampling, and acoustic sensors.
• Fisheries Hatchery Programs: Reinforcement of fish stocks coupled with easing of geopolitical restrictions on fishing zones.

5. Technological and Institutional Resilience

• TEK Integration and Capacity Building: Reinstate technical ecological knowledge systems through localized training and solidarity research networks.
• MRV Systems: Community-based monitoring to validate remote sensing and track GHG fluxes and land recovery.
• Seed and Data Sovereignty: Establish bomb-resistant seed banks and lift internet blackouts to re-enable citizen science and agroecological forecasting.

By centering agroecological harmony, environmental justice, and popular sovereignty, Gaza can build an ecological system that is both regenerative and resistant to future shocks. Agroecology, thus, becomes a peacebuilding tool, restoring not just soil and water, but also dignity, autonomy, and life itself.