Gaza, despite being one of the most economically challenged regions globally, has paradoxically maintained its status as a technology hub, not only for Palestine and Palestinians but for the entire world. International companies have, for many years, sought a presence there to collaborate with skilled tech freelancers and the startups that have gradually emerged in the region. For instance, Nvidia, known for its role in the AI boom, has been working with at least 100 engineers from Gaza for an extended period, according to sources involved in building these connections.
Since at least 2008, TechCrunch has been covering technology companies from Palestine, some catering to their local audience, while others serve the global tech community. Silicon Valley has shown an increasing interest in Palestine as a tech hub, although it’s still in its early stages. To date, an estimated $10 million has been invested in the Palestinian tech ecosystem.
In 2017, Salesforce founder and CEO Marc Benioff joined Silicon Valley leaders in supporting the first coding academy in Gaza. Gaza Sky Geeks, an initiative backed by Alphabet, is based in Gaza and provides pre-seed investments, training, and technology resources to the Gazan population, fostering entrepreneurship in the region.
However, all of this progress and potential has been obliterated, mirroring the destruction of buildings in Gaza itself. Israel is currently retaliating militarily due to attacks on its people, soil, and the capture of hostages by Hamas, the ruling organization in Gaza. Over 1,500 people in Palestine have lost their lives as a result of the ongoing conflict.
The impact on the tech industry in Gaza, which was already fragile, has been devastating. The physical, economic, and societal destruction has cast a dark shadow over the region’s tech future, leaving the consequences of the war inescapable for everyone, especially tech workers.
One source within Gaza remarked, “What is happening to tech in Gaza is that Israel is crunching it. Obliterating it.”
Israel has amassed troops near the northern border of Gaza, preparing for a ground offensive into the densely populated enclave. The UN has warned of “devastating humanitarian consequences” from these developments, with a total blockade enforced on the territory, causing shortages of fuel, food, and water.
Tech organizations, educational institutions, and infrastructure have been severely impacted. Gaza Sky Geeks, the largest tech hub in Palestine, which provided extensive tech training, is in ruins. The destruction is widespread, affecting universities, offices, and fiber lines, leaving the future of tech in the region uncertain.
Connectivity has significantly decreased in the past 24 hours, making it almost impossible for tech professionals to work. Entire neighborhoods have been destroyed, impacting the middle-class population, who are essential to the tech sector. In addition to the loss of internet and electricity, people are running out of gas for generators.
The situation has made it challenging for software engineers and tech professionals in Gaza to maintain their work, with many evacuating repeatedly to escape bombings. The uncertainty, danger, and lack of resources have rendered the tech sector in Gaza nearly non-functional.
This devastating situation has not only affected Gaza but also had an inevitable impact on the West Bank. Tech companies there are operating on a limited scale due to unsafe roads and the blockade, leading to either a struggle to reach their offices or closure of businesses in Gaza. The destruction of key tech industry buildings by Israeli airstrikes has left tech entrepreneurs in despair.
The Palestinian tech scene had been growing, with companies in Saudi Arabia setting up back offices for development and international companies like Nvidia, Apple, and Microsoft outsourcing operations to Palestine. The outbreak of hostilities and destruction in Gaza has disrupted this progress, leaving the tech community grappling with an uncertain and perilous future. Entrepreneurs are facing daily challenges as they attempt to navigate their work amid the ongoing crisis.
