A big chunk of the food in Israel comes from farms near the Gaza Strip.  A report by the Israeli newspaper Globus has mentioned that about 75% of the veggies, 20% of the fruits, and 6.5% of the milk consumed in Israel are grown in this area. 

What's in the Area?

The lands surrounding the Gaza Strip are like a big vegetable patch for Israel. Not only do they have lots of veggies, but there are also poultry and livestock farms, as well as fish farms. It's like a mini food paradise!

Challenges and Attacks

These farms have been facing tough times. The Palestinian resistance in the Gaza Strip has been attacking this area as a response to Israeli attacks. This has made it harder for Israel to have enough food. Plus, for a long time, Israel has put strict restrictions on these lands, making it difficult for Palestinian farmers to use them. On top of that, the farms have been bombed during military operations. 

Support for the Farms

Therefore, the Israeli government and the Ministry of Agriculture are trying to help. They have allocated 2.5 million shekels (that's about $625,000) to support the farmers. However, some farmers are complaining that they haven't received all the support they were promised. It's a bit of a bummer, isn't it?

Why is the Gaza Envelope Important?

After Israel withdrew from the Gaza Strip in 2005, the area near it became really important. The Israeli government built lots of settlements there to strengthen its control over the Strip and create a buffer zone. They wanted to prevent any chance of a Palestinian state being established. So, it's a pretty strategic place!

The Ongoing Situation

Right now, the Israeli army is bombarding Gaza, and the Palestinian resistance is bombing Israeli cities and towns. It's a really tough situation, and it has caused a lot of casualties, especially among children and women.