Israel denies southern farmers their olive harvest for a third year

Over half of Rmeish’s groves unharvested

More than 50% of the town’s olive groves have gone unharvested for three years due to security risks near the border. Tobacco production, a vital livelihood, has fallen to 60% of its prewar level.

Villages await access to farmland

For the third year, farmers in Deir Mimas, Bourj El Moulouk and Qlayaa cannot harvest groves near Israeli positions. In Kfar Shouba and Mazraat Sarda, farmers await security arrangements to reach their trees.

Thousands of hectares damaged

The Agriculture Ministry says the war damaged around 6,600 hectares of olive groves, with over 56,000 hectares of farmland affected nationwide. Losses extend to trees, olive presses and families’ livelihoods.

Checking olive trees can cost a life

On October 11, retired soldier Ali Abdel Hassan Sweidan was killed by Israeli tank fire while checking his home and olive grove in Yater. Across the south, a season that once brought families together now brings danger and recurring loss.