Gaza beekeeper rebuilds amid war destruction, holding on to hope and livelihood

What happened

The Guardian reports that Ibrahim al-Dabba, a Gaza City resident and president of the Gaza Beekeepers’ cooperative society, has persevered in beekeeping despite losing his home, over 400 hives, equipment, and nearly all business assets amid the war. Now displaced, he has relocated to a damaged tower roof in Gaza’s Tel al-Hawa where he cares for 35 remaining colonies, far fewer than his pre-war apiaries.

Before the conflict, al-Dabba ran a thriving business with 400 managed beehives across Gaza, supporting his large family and local agriculture through pollination. The war’s disruption and bombardments made accessing apiaries impossible and forced repeated displacement, wiping out his life’s work with estimated financial losses of over $350,000. Beekeeping in Gaza had steadily grown even under blockade, making its decline notable as a symptom of the conflict’s broader economic destruction.

Despite scarcity of supplies such as medicines, wax foundation, and equipment, and challenges in transporting and securing the hives on a damaged rooftop, al-Dabba invested in three new hives and gradually expanded to 35. Each harvest now carries symbolic weight, representing both a livelihood and a form of cultural and agricultural resilience amid dire conditions.

Known from the source

• Ibrahim al-Dabba is a 49-year-old beekeeper from Gaza City and president of the Gaza Beekeepers’ cooperative society.
• Before the war, he managed over 400 beehives across eastern Gaza.
• He lost his home, more than 400 beehives, equipment, and storage facilities in the war and estimates losses over $350,000.
• He was displaced repeatedly during the war and relocated to Gaza City’s Tel al-Hawa neighborhood.
• Currently, al-Dabba manages 35 hives on the roof of a damaged residential tower.

What remains unclear

Al-Dabba underscores the broader significance by noting that sustainable agriculture depends on bees, and that supporting beekeepers is essential for Gaza’s food security and economic stability. He draws a parallel between the bees’ perseverance and the people of Gaza continuing their lives amid hardship, expressing hope that agriculture and civilian life can recover even as the war persists.

What remains unclear: Financial loss estimate of $350,000 is attributed but should be corroborated with additional sources if possible. Current number of beehives (35) and details on apiary conditions should be verified for any recent changes. Extent and impact of supply shortages on Gaza’s beekeeping sector need confirmation from other sources. Ensure careful wording around war impact and civilian displacement to maintain neutrality and avoid implied blame.

Evidence note

Outside Brief has treated the source material as confirmed within the supplied source context, while retaining attribution to the original publisher.

Original source: The Guardian Gaza. Open the source.