As the devastating war in Gaza continues, a resilient community of Palestinian coders, technicians, and digital freelancers is fighting to maintain its connection to the global digital economy. With critical telecommunications infrastructure largely destroyed, Gaza’s digital workforce faces near-impossible conditions, yet continues to innovate and persevere.
According to data from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the systematic targeting of this infrastructure has crippled online work opportunities that provided a vital source of income for many Gazans.
Infrastructure in Ruins, Resilience Unbroken
An estimated 81 percent of buildings in Gaza have been damaged or destroyed, wiping out the fragile telecommunications network that supported its burgeoning tech scene. This near-total disruption has pushed the digital workforce to the brink, forcing an incredible level of adaptation.
Despite the challenges, young Palestinian tech professionals continue their work under extreme circumstances. Many have resorted to coding offline in notebooks and relying on intermittent electricity from solar panels. They must wait for rare and brief moments of internet access to upload completed projects to international clients, turning every submission into a race against time.
A Decimated But Defiant Tech Ecosystem
Before the war began in October 2023, Gaza was home to a small but vibrant tech ecosystem. The enclave featured innovation hubs, coding bootcamps, and a growing community of freelancers who were successfully connecting with global markets.
While the physical foundations of that ecosystem have been largely destroyed, the spirit of innovation endures. Individual developers and digital workers are finding improvised ways to continue their craft, demonstrating a profound commitment to their profession and their economic survival.
Coding as an Act of Survival
For Gaza’s remaining digital workers, continuing their profession is more than just a job—it has become a powerful form of resistance and a means of preserving their identity. It is a lifeline to a world that feels increasingly distant.
“For us, staying connected is about purpose,” said Shaima Abu Al Atta, a coder currently working from a displacement camp. She explained that continuing to work, even under these conditions, helps preserve a sense of dignity and meaning in a reality defined by loss and uncertainty.
About Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics
The Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics (PCBS) is the official statistical institution of the State of Palestine. It is responsible for collecting, compiling, analyzing, and disseminating official statistics on demographic, social, economic, and environmental conditions.
Source: MEA Tech Watch
