Gaza Beekeepers Face Extinction as War Destroys 95% of Sector
Ibrahim al-Dabbeh reports that surviving swarms are being managed amidst conflict rubble, with efforts focused on reviving an industry pushed to the brink of collapse.
Beekeepers in the Gaza Strip are attempting to restore their livelihoods by managing surviving swarms and collecting honey amidst the rubble of the ongoing conflict. The efforts come as the region’s agricultural sector grapples with the aftermath of widespread destruction, with rebuilding initiatives focused on reviving hives in a landscape defined by debris.
Ibrahim al-Dabbeh, head of the Cooperative Association of Beekeepers in the Gaza Strip, stated that the war has destroyed more than 95% of the bee sector. His assessment indicates that the industry has been pushed to the brink of extinction, with current operations limited to handling what little honey the remaining colonies can produce.
The rebuilding process involves navigating a bombed-out environment where infrastructure has been severely compromised. Beekeepers are working to stabilise the few surviving colonies, a task that requires significant effort given the scale of the damage inflicted on the sector during the hostilities.
Prior to the conflict, beekeeping was an established industry in the region. The current focus on reviving hives represents an attempt to reclaim a portion of that economic activity, although the timeline for any full recovery of the sector remains undefined.
The Cooperative Association of Beekeepers in the Gaza Strip continues to coordinate these limited restoration efforts. The organisation’s leadership highlights the severity of the losses, framing the current work as a critical intervention to prevent the total collapse of the local beekeeping trade.
