{
  "id": 1764192,
  "title": "UN says only 3 per cent of Gaza cropland accessible and undamaged",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/08/18/un-says-only-3-per-cent-of-gaza-cropland-accessible-and-undamaged",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-08-18T17:36:02.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "New Straits Times",
    "slug": "new-straits-times",
    "url": "https://www.nst.com.my/world/world/2026/08/1514109/un-says-only-3-cent-gaza-cropland-accessible-and-undamaged"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "The United Nations Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) has reported that only three percent of Gaza's cropland remains accessible and undamaged following the fragile ceasefire between Israel and Hamas in October 2025. Satellite images have revealed a significant decline from 601 hectares of accessible and undamaged cropland to just 448 hectares, a reduction of 25.5 percent. The FAO warns that without urgent action, local food production in Gaza will continue to suffer as opportunities diminish. Rein Paulsen, director of the FAO's Office of Emergencies and Resilience, emphasizes the need for restored access and support for farmers. The report also highlights the impact of restrictions on agricultural imports, the decline in greenhouse availability by 17.3 percent, and the westward expansion of the \"Yellow Line\" that separates the ceasefire zone from Israeli-controlled areas. The conflict began in October 2023 when Hamas launched an attack on Israel, resulting in 1,221 deaths and 251 hostages taken. Israel's retaliation has claimed over 73,000 lives, with Gaza's health ministry reporting the fatalities. Despite a ceasefire in October 2025, Israeli forces now control nearly 70 percent of the territory. Agriculture once contributed 10 percent to Gaza's economy and supported over 560,000 people before the conflict.",
  "summary": "ROME: Just three per cent of the cropland in Gaza remains accessible and undamaged, the UN’s Food and Agriculture Organisation warned Tuesday, citing an analysis of satellite images.",
  "key_points": [],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}