Gaza tech workers earn income via laptops after war
Thousands of tech workers in Gaza are using laptops to connect to the outside world and earn income following the war.
The Full Story
A plain summary built from the channels that reported this story.
Thousands of tech workers in Gaza are using laptops to connect to the outside world and earn income after the war, despite the massive destruction and ongoing challenges. Before the conflict, the territory was developing as a tech hub, and now young people are turning to remote digital freelancing as a way to support their families.
Software engineer Tariq Zayem, who lost his home and job during the two-year full-scale war, is now working on a mobile phone app for an international client. He said: "Everything's gone, I lost my home, I lost my job. So I am starting from zero, from scratch, to start a new career." Many Gazans continue to live in tent camps, struggling to get water and food, but thousands are trying to connect through the digital economy.
Co-working spaces have been set up using generators and solar panels to provide electricity and internet access. Humanitarian groups are helping to restart the industry, describing it as a "digital lifeline" at a time when close to 80% of people in Gaza have no income. One 24-year-old woman, Walet Valides, is her family's breadwinner and works remotely for a Dubai firm while trying to evacuate her injured sister. She said: "My first hope is to help my family to get a good life, to help my sister to get out from Gaza to find the treatment. And also I'm working for myself also to get my scholarship to travel."
However, the work is fraught with difficulties, including broken laptops, banking restrictions, and near daily bombings. One co-working space was hit by a bombing. With the ceasefire stalling and Israel continuing to target Hamas, Gaza's wider recovery remains at a standstill, but its tech workers offer a glimpse of a brighter possible future.
On screen
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Key Claims
Claims reported during this story's coverage, mapped by channel. Ordered by how many channels carried each claim.
| Claim | BBC News |
|---|---|
| Gaza was developing as a tech hub before the war, with young people using laptops to connect and earn income, and humanitarian groups helping to revive the tech industry. |
Channel Perspectives
What each channel focused on, with key quotes.
The report focuses on the human resilience of Gaza's tech workers, framing their remote work as a 'digital lifeline' amid destruction. It highlights the contrast between the devastation and the continued digital activity, and includes personal stories of individuals starting over. The tone is sympathetic and hopeful, while acknowledging the severe challenges.
- “Everything's gone, I lost my home, I lost my job. So I am starting from zero, from scratch, to start a new career.”
- “We talk about it now as sort of a digital lifeline.”
- “My first hope is to help my family to get a good life, to help my sister to get out from Gaza to find the treatment.”
Broadcast Timeline
News broadcasts tracked for this story, in time order.