War in Gaza Severely Disrupts Online Freelance Economy

Online freelancing had become a vital source of livelihood for roughly 12,000 Gazans before the 2023 conflict, offering wages far above local standards and supported by training hubs such as Gaza Sky Geeks. The war has devastated this sector by shutting down the sole power plant, imposing costly diesel-generator electricity, and destroying over 50% of the region's internet networks, according to the Palestinian Ministry of Telecommunications and Digital Economy.

Israeli restrictions label phones, laptops and spare parts as dual-use items, limiting their entry, while money-transfer offices now charge 15-20% commissions, squeezing freelancers' already reduced incomes. Personal accounts from programmer Mohamed Sultan and designer Aya Abu Maislah illustrate lost contracts, damaged equipment and the inability to replace costly devices, forcing many to abandon their work. Although some coworking spaces have reopened, the combined infrastructure collapse and financial barriers have left the freelance community struggling amid an unemployment rate near 80%.