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Gaza's honey production slows to a drizzle

Beekeepers in Gaza are currently experiencing a low in honey production due to the latest Israeli war on Gaza, during which the Israeli army destroyed vast agricultural lands.
A Palestinian beekeeper checks a honeycomb before collecting honey at a farm in Rafah in the southern Gaza Strip, April 9, 2013. REUTERS/Ibraheem Abu Mustafa (GAZA - Tags: SOCIETY) - RTXYEPE
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GAZA CITY, Gaza Strip — Muhannad Hamid waits an entire year for the honey harvest season, which falls annually between April 20 and May 10. During this period, Hamid makes the most profit from honey collection. However, this year, it seems he won’t make any profits, as production has decreased compared with previous years.

Hamid, 42, owns several beehives in the town of Beit Hanoun on the northern border of the Gaza Strip. These beehives are his family’s only source of livelihood. He told Al-Monitor with frustration, “What I never expected actually happened. My farm’s production for this year was no more than 300 kilograms [661 pounds] of honey, while in normal [times], the amount of honey reaches 750 kilograms [1,653 pounds].”

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