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On 15 May, the largest warehouse for agricultural supplies in the Gaza Strip, owned by the Khudair Brothers Company, was destroyed in Beit Lahia, Northern Gaza, by Israeli artillery shelling. Founded in 1985 by four brothers, the warehouse provided pesticides, fertilisers and materials such as plastic, nylon and water pipes, accounting for over 50 per cent of all agricultural supplies across the Gaza Strip. According to Al Mezan’s Research and Technical Assistance Unit, the 4,000m² warehouse stored around 300 tons of highly hazardous pesticides and a 1,000 tons of fertilisers.[2]

Prior to the destruction, the company had just bought agricultural supplies on credit which all perished in the flames, leaving it in severe debt. The damage is estimated to amount to over US$13 million[3] and the loss of livelihood has affected one hundred family members, mostly children.

Some family members developed rashes resulting from exposure to the fumes and had to seek medical treatment. One neighbour was pregnant and suffered a miscarriage a few days after the incident, which medical staff of Shifa hospital attribute to the chemical inhalation. Other neighbours have been hospitalised due to respiratory difficulties, while another pregnant woman left the area to ensure the safety of her unborn child.