In Gaza, where over 81 percent of buildings have been damaged or destroyed, a resilient community of young Palestinians is working tirelessly to preserve the enclave’s digital life. Coders, repair technicians, and freelancers are striving to maintain internet connectivity and digital services despite ongoing destruction of telecommunications infrastructure by Israeli forces.

Battling Infrastructure Destruction

Since the outbreak of Israel’s war on Gaza in October 2023, the territory’s telecommunications sector has been devastated. According to the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, Israeli attacks have “deliberately and systematically destroyed” mobile networks and internet hubs, leaving Gaza’s tech workers to operate under extreme conditions.

Shaima Abu Al Atta, a coder working from a displacement camp, explained:

“We just always look for another way to get connected, always find another way. This is what gave us purpose. Without it, we would just die surviving and not doing anything.”

Before the war, Gaza had a modest but vibrant tech ecosystem, with innovation hubs, coding bootcamps, and freelancers providing services to international clients. Much of that infrastructure has now been reduced to rubble.

Working From Rubble

Technicians and coders continue to adapt creatively. They work offline, store solar power when possible, and upload projects during rare periods of connectivity. Freelancers rely on online work to sustain themselves, but inconsistent electricity and internet outages have made survival increasingly precarious.

A’aed Shamaly, a computer technician, highlighted the challenges:

“Electricity is unstable and expensive, $12 per kilowatt compared with $1.50 before the war. Spare parts are unavailable, so we scavenge components from broken devices.”

Scale of Destruction

The United Nations Satellite Centre (UNOSAT) reports that approximately 198,273 structures in Gaza have been damaged, with 123,464 completely destroyed. Mobile phone coverage has collapsed, with 64 percent of towers out of service as of early 2025, and Rafah experiencing just 27 percent connectivity.

Connectivity watchdog NetBlocks documented repeated disruptions, including a “near-total telecom blackout” in January 2024. Gaza’s mobile technology remains outdated, restricted to 2G, while neighboring West Bank areas have 4G.

Economic and Social Consequences

The collapse of digital infrastructure has devastated Gaza’s economy. Remote work, a vital income source in a region with pre-war unemployment exceeding 79 percent, has become unreliable. Freelancers have lost jobs, and food insecurity has increased amid soaring prices caused by Israel’s blockade.

Banking services have also been paralyzed, preventing money transfers and leaving families unable to access cash. Healthcare has suffered, with the World Health Organization reporting deaths caused by delayed emergency response due to communication failures.

Restricted Access to Repairs

Even during the fragile ceasefire implemented in October 2025, Israel has blocked critical equipment needed to repair Gaza’s telecommunications networks. Analysts describe these restrictions as a strategy to control Palestinian digital infrastructure and limit the flow of information to the outside world.

A Fragile Digital Future

Despite the perseverance of Gaza’s coders and technicians, the future remains uncertain. Escalating tensions and the threat of renewed war continue to jeopardize Gaza’s already fragile digital ecosystem, leaving residents struggling to maintain both connectivity and livelihoods.