The Israeli authorities argue that the chemical spraying is necessary for security reasons.
This briefing paper is on the Israeli forces’ chemical spraying of farmlands in the Gaza Strip. Spraying activities occur within the context of occupation and conflict. The practice affects the livelihood and right to food of the population, while also harming Gaza’s fragile environment and decaying infrastructure. Despite the evident impacts on the population’s human rights, the Israeli military authorities have rejected calls to end this practice or to be fully transparent about the chemicals used, timing of planned operations, and effects, which could enable civilians to mitigate some of the damage to their property, and possibly to the environment as well.