Gaza seed bank rebuilds after wartime destruction

The Al-Qarara Seed Bank in Deir el-Balah, Gaza Strip, is rebuilding its collection of heirloom seeds after being destroyed during the Israel-Hamas war that began in October 2023. The bank, founded in 2017 with support from the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC), stores indigenous seeds for crops like wheat, barley, and vegetables. The war destroyed the bank and led to the loss of many seed varieties, and the team was repeatedly displaced before settling in Deir el-Balah. The bank operates on a lending system, providing seeds to trusted farmers who return them after harvest. Gaza's agricultural sector has been devastated, with only 3% of cropland accessible and undamaged, according to the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO). Severe shortages of water, fertilizer, and agricultural chemicals persist due to Israeli controls on goods entering the territory. Before the war, agriculture accounted for about 10% of Gaza's economy, and Gaza was self-sufficient in fresh vegetables, exporting one-third of its production. Now, agricultural output can provide at most 10% of Gaza's vegetable needs. The seed bank is seen as a 'ray of hope' for reviving farming and preserving agricultural heritage amid ongoing conflict, despite a US-backed ceasefire since October 2025 and continued Israeli military operations.