The last batch of olive oil collected by a Palestinian family in Gaza before the destruction of their trees has become a central element of a fundraising campaign in the UAE. Proceeds from this campaign will be directed towards restoring olive tree plantings in the area.
The initiative, titled 'The Last Harvest,' is organized by the Palestinian olive oil brand Jenin in collaboration with The Big Heart Foundation (TBHF). Bidding starts at Dh25,000 and runs until noon on November 11th. Residents of the UAE aged 18 and over can participate.
The collected funds will allow for the planting of approximately 714 olive trees in Gaza, helping families restore a source of income lost during the war. The olive oil itself was transported to the UAE from Deir al-Balah in Gaza after a difficult journey and represents the final yield for many families in the city whose olive trees were destroyed by military action.
To preserve the significance of this oil, Palestinian artist Lamees Abu Aker designed a glass container for its storage. This container was handcrafted by artisans in Jabalia, West Bank. Its shape resembles oil dispensers commonly found on Palestinian tables. Inside, in the form of a seed, the oil is stored above a base made of burnt olive wood. Tala Hammash, co-founder of Jenin, noted: 'The oil inside this work of art will never be consumed, but it can help new trees grow and make future harvests possible.'
The Arab Nature Protection (APN) reports that about 90 percent of olive trees in Gaza have been destroyed. According to APN estimates, production dropped from 55,000 tons in 2022 to only 1,000 tons in 2025. Furthermore, a UN assessment from August 2026 showed that only 3 percent of Gaza's agricultural land remained simultaneously accessible and undamaged in June. Until October 2023, agriculture provided employment for over 560,000 people in Gaza.
For families, the loss goes beyond mere income. Mariam Al Hammadi, a member of the TBHF advisory board, emphasized: 'When an olive tree is destroyed, a Palestinian farming family loses much more than just a source of income. We want Palestinian children to inherit olive groves, not just memories of trees that once stood here.'
Even those who cannot participate in the auction of the last olive oil harvest can contribute to the campaign in small amounts. Various ways to help exist: donations starting from Dh35, which is enough to plant one tree; purchasing limited edition Fallaheen Reserve olive oil from Jenin, with profits going to charity; and fundraising through the YallaGive appeal, which aims for Dh350,000 to plant 10,000 trees.
All collected funds pass through TBHF and are transferred to APN, which uses them for replanting olives, including its 'Revive Gaza's Farmland' program. TBHF is a charitable organization based in Sharjah, founded by Sheikha Jawahar bint Mohammed Al Qasimi, who is also a prominent advocate for refugee children at UNICEF.
