Hope in High-Speed: The Digital Uprising of Gaza’s Youth

Authors: Analis Rossi and Alejandra Vergara A

In Gaza, where the soil is dry and the future uncertain, Gaza Sky Geeks is planting seeds of transformation. With laptops instead of shovels and codes instead of crops, they are cultivating a new kind of harvest, one that brings new opportunities, hope, dignity, and global connection.

Gaza Sky Geeks story is one that invites us all universities, companies, communities, and individuals to take part. Because this isn’t only about technology. It’s about humanity. It’s about answering the call to say: Yes, there is a way to help. Yes, there is a future they deserve.

But before we dive into the story of innovation and resilience, it’s important to understand the landscape in which this transformation is taking root in a place where daily life is shaped by conflict, scarcity, and uncertainty

A Region in Ruins: Gaza’s Humanitarian and Economic Collapse

To understand the work of Gaza Sky Geeks, we must first understand the ground it grows from. Gaza is living through one of the worst humanitarian and economic collapses in its history. The conflict that erupted in October 2023 intensified challenges that had already been suffocating the region for years, pushing Gaza into nearly total economic devastation.

The employment situation is alarming, with data from the International Labour Organization (ILO) showing that the unemployment rate in the region reached an average of 80% between October 2023 and September 2024. This number represents not just a devastating statistic, but thousands of Palestinian families without a source of income.

Approximately 201,000 jobs were lost by January 2024 - equivalent to two-thirds of the jobs that existed before the conflict. The local economy suffered a dramatic contraction of 80% in the fourth quarter of 2023, according to a World Bank report, with the region’s GDP contracting almost 85%, demonstrating the profound impact of the conflict on local productive capacity. The United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) estimates that the Palestinian economy has lost a total of $1.5 billion since the beginning of the current conflict, with Gaza being the most severely affected region.

The conflict in Gaza involves multiple actors. Hamas, a Palestinian resistance movement that has governed Gaza since 2007, is considered a terrorist organization by some countries, but viewed by many Palestinians as a national liberation movement. Israel maintains a blockade over Gaza since 2007 and has conducted military operations in the region, justifying its actions as security measures against attacks by Palestinian armed groups. The Palestinian Authority, the Palestinian government based in the West Bank, seeks to represent Palestinian interests in international negotiations, while the international community, including organizations like the UN, European Union, and various countries, seeks to mediate the conflict and provide humanitarian aid.

Gaza’s population faces extremely adverse conditions. In addition to massive unemployment, there is a shortage of basic resources such as food, water, electricity, and medical supplies. Infrastructure has been severely damaged, affecting hospitals, schools, and communication systems. For technology professionals and freelancers, the situation is particularly challenging.

Many depend on stable internet connections to work with international clients, but power cuts and damage to telecommunications infrastructure have drastically limited these opportunities. Despite these difficulties, there is remarkable resilience in the population, especially among educated young people who seek alternatives through the digital economy when conditions allow.

For Gaza’s young and educated, the barriers are especially cruel. Many have the skills to work remotely for international clients, yet power cuts and broken infrastructure cut them off. And yet, despite the hardships, resilience persists. Hope persists. And it is precisely here, in the middle of collapse, that Gaza Sky Geeks dared to rise.

Sky’s the Limit: The Birth of Gaza Sky Geeks

In 2011, a visionary partnership between Mercy Corps and Google gave life to Gaza Sky Geeks (GSG). The very name carries a dream: “the sky’s the limit.” It was a declaration that, no matter how severe the restrictions on movement or trade, Gaza’s youth could reach beyond walls through the borderless world of the internet.

What began as small bootcamps for entrepreneurs quickly evolved into Palestine’s first startup accelerator and, over time, the beating heart of its technology ecosystem. From Gaza, GSG expanded to the West Bank and East Jerusalem, building not just a community but a movement: the belief that Palestinian youth, with the right skills and opportunities, can shape their own future and contribute meaningfully to the global economy.

For years, this ecosystem thrived on a hybrid model mixing in-person training, mentorship, and community events with digital learning but after October 2023, as war reshaped daily life, GSG adapted fully to a virtual model. Rather than losing momentum, the organization doubled down, proving that innovation and resilience could overcome even the harshest barriers.

Today, GSG works at every level of the ecosystem, not only providing support to Palestinian technology companies, but also helping them hire palestinian talent, equipping them with the guidance, tools, and support needed to grow and compete globally. At the same time, they create vital international connections that open doors for local talent to thrive on the world stage. Their work doesn’t stop at business; it extends into advocacy and awareness, amplifying Palestine’s tech potential worldwide and building bridges with universities eager to mentor, transfer knowledge, and prepare young Palestinians for careers that transcend borders.

At its heart, GSG’s mission is to drive Palestine’s digital economy and nurture future technology leaders through cutting-edge education. But their scope reaches far beyond technical skills; it is about resilience, dignity, and proving to the world that Palestinians are not defined by war, but by brilliance. Here, young people master programming and digital tools, refine soft skills like English fluency and global collaboration, and receive mentorship that transforms startups into enterprises ready for international markets.

Even under siege, GSG sustains a thriving ecosystem empowering individuals, supporting companies, connecting firms with global opportunities, fostering university partnerships, and ensuring that graduates don’t just survive, but succeed. It is empowerment in its purest form and, a bold reminder that:

Palestinians are working, creating, innovating and that the global community has the chance not only to witness it, but to be part of it.

At the start of 2023, we held cautious optimism that the crisis in Gaza would end. Almost two years later, the devastation persists. Hundreds of thousands have been killed, injured, or displaced. Gaza's infrastructure—homes, schools, hospitals, and utilities—lies in ruins. Among the losses are GSG's three vibrant offices and coworking spaces, which were once hubs of creativity and innovation.

GSG paused all activities on the ground in Gaza to focus on supporting our staff and community. Many of our team members transitioned to Mercy Corps' emergency response program. Around 30% of our Gaza-based team managed to escape to Egypt, and from there, they have scattered to various countries, seeking peace and the chance to rebuild their lives. And we moved all the program operations to the West Bank instead, but our virtual training has never stopped to help the Gazans to seek a haven for learning and growing.

Despite these challenges, Gaza Sky Geeks continues to fulfill its mission through adapted programs and interventions:

Providing Technical and Employability Skills Training equips individuals with the knowledge and tools needed to thrive in the competitive tech landscape.
Facilitating Market Access connects talent with international mentors, internships, and income-generating opportunities to unlock global potential.
Elevate: Palestinian Tech Companies is a specialized program designed to empower Palestinian tech companies by addressing key challenges that limit their growth and revenue potential. The program focuses on capacity building to strengthen the skills and operational effectiveness of companies, marketing and branding to enhance their visibility and positioning in global markets, and market access to create opportunities for partnerships and business expansion internationally.

*Gaza Sky Geeks fosters innovation in a region marked by adversity*

Innovation Under Siege: The Secret to GSG’s Success in Gaza

GSG Individual Programs

Through its specialized training programs, GSG helps individuals unlock new income opportunities, whether by working remotely for international clients or joining local Palestinian tech companies. These programs aren't just about learning, they are about building a future.

GSG’s comprehensive training suite is designed to meet global market demands while remaining deeply rooted in local opportunity. Participants gain high-value digital skills such as coding, cloud computing, graphic design, data analytics, artificial intelligence, and bookkeeping. But the journey doesn’t stop there. GSG also provides technical English instruction, employability coaching, and hands-on guidance in entrepreneurship and freelancing ensuring that learners are not only job-ready but future-ready.

This is more than education. It’s empowerment.

Transforming Potential into Global Partnership

They don't just empower individuals, it strengthens entire companies. By partnering with Palestinian tech firms, GSG provides tailored training in niche technologies, helping teams stay competitive in a fast-evolving digital landscape. From capacity-building for executives to strategic development, sales enablement, and business support, GSG equips companies with the tools they need to scale and succeed.

This support extends beyond borders. GSG assists with company registration and facilitates access to international markets, opening doors for Palestinian tech companies to deliver world-class digital services across the globe.

If you're interested in advising a Palestinian tech company or engaging them for digital services, the next section will show you how to get involved and make a meaningful impact.

Voices of Innovation: Stories from Gaza’s Tech Frontier

Meet Aseel Sultan, with a vision born on a stormy day, she created Jusoor a platform connecting Palestinian youth to jobs, scholarship and investors. Despite political barriers and not enough resources, Aseel turned adversity into innovations. Jusoor became more than a digital space it became a lifeline.

Together with her partner Hala AI-Kahlout, she designed training programs, built networks, and opened doors that war is trying to close.

“Wars don’t just kill people,” Aseel says. “They kill opportunities too.”

Her promise? That Jusoor will carry every step and stumble until young Palestinians reach the future they deserve.

Gaza Sky Geeks Virtual Bootcamp -

Gaza Sky Geeks recently held a virtual exhibition showcasing the achievements of participants from its digital bootcamp. The event highlighted innovative projects, creative solutions, and the growing talent of young professionals in Gaza’s tech community, giving them a platform to present their work to a global audience and connect with potential collaborators and opportunities.

Sarah Amer Fawzi Al-Amsi, Gaza Strip

محاكاة لمعاناتنا داخل الخيام .. رسمت خيمة لا تحتوى انترنت أو كهرباء تحوى أناس .. لا يمكنك التركيز أو الاندماج بعملك بداخلها

لذا قررت العمل أعلى غيمة وهو المكان الذي أذهب إليه لكي أنجز بعض اعمالي .. قمت بوضع الكوفية والطائرة الورقية لمسه تراثية فلسطينية .. لعل ذلك اليوم يأتى .. بلا معاناة في كل أمر نتجه له لنكمل حياتنا بالشكل الطبيعي .

(سنحاول حتى آخر رمق داخل بلادنا وبأقل الإمكانيات حتى نملك حريتنا وإكمال ما تبقى من احلامنا )

ساره عامر فوزي العمصي، قطاع غزة

A simulation of our suffering inside the tents... I drew a tent that has no internet or electricity, containing people... You can't focus or immerse yourself in your work inside it.

So I decided to work atop a cloud — a place I go to get some of my work done.

I added the keffiyeh and the kite as a Palestinian cultural touch...

Perhaps that day will come... a day without suffering in every aspect of life we try to pursue, so we can continue living normally.

(We will keep trying until our last breath, within our homeland and with the bare minimum, until we gain our freedom and fulfill what remains of our dreams.)

The Gallery

Gaza Sky Geeks: 2025 and Beyond – Revitalizing the Tech Sector

Gaza Sky Geeks is dedicated to rebuilding Palestine's tech ecosystem and driving growth and innovation across the region. With programs now expanded throughout the West Bank and online training reaching participants in Gaza, GSG is prepared to resume in-person activities in Gaza as soon as the situation stabilizes.

In the coming years, GSG will focus on advancing skills in high-demand tech fields by offering specialized technical training alongside sales and marketing expertise to help individuals and companies secure opportunities with international clients. The organization is committed to opening global opportunities by connecting Palestinian talent and tech companies with international mentors, internships, and income-generating prospects to expand their reach beyond local markets.

A crucial priority is rebuilding Gaza's tech community through supporting and creating co-working spaces with reliable electricity and internet to enable rapid re-engagement of Gaza's tech professionals. GSG will also provide refresher training programs and critical psycho-social support to foster resilience and recovery. Additionally, the organization is focused on empowering marginalized groups by introducing tailored training programs for single mothers and people with disabilities, equipping them with the skills and opportunities to rebuild their lives through digital and technical work. ç

Your Role in Gaza’s Tech Transformation

Gaza Sky Geeks is planting the seeds of transformation and now they're inviting you to help them grow. Whether you're a company, educator, mentor, or advocate, there’s a way for you to make a difference.

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Here’s how you can support:

Hire Palestinian Talent: Create virtual internships or remote roles by filling out this form
Become a Mentor or Advisor: Share your expertise in tech, entrepreneurship, or leadership by signing up here
Partner or Fund GSG Initiatives: Provide curriculum, in-kind support, or funding. Email: info@gazaskygeeks.com

GSG is also seeking to connect Palestinian tech clubs with international university groups, and collaborate with organizations like DataCamp, PCRF, Mercy Corps, UN OCHA, Save the Children, MAP, Anera, and IRC.

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