Foreword: Amidst a landscape deeply scarred by ongoing hostilities, a beacon of resilience shines through the chaos in Palestine. The unwavering spirit of the people in Gaza is evident in their pursuit of connecting to the world against all odds. This is not just a story of innovative communication technology, but a strong testament to human tenacity.
In light of the daily harrowing challenges in Gaza, having stable communication plays a crucial role in maintaining social, economic, and emergency connections. It serves as a vital link to the outside world amid ongoing tragedies. The Gaza Strip is home to more than 2.2 million people who have been under siege since the Israeli blockade in 2007. The blockade, including land, air, and sea restrictions, has significantly impacted Gaza’s economy, infrastructure, and the living conditions of its inhabitants. Gaza has also been profoundly affected by recurrent Israeli military operations and a series of wars that crippled its telecommunication networks.
The most recent genocidal war, which began on October 7, 2023, has been particularly devastating, claiming thousands of lives over more than 100 days, bombing entire neighborhoods, wiping families off the registry, shattering dreams, and destroying all forms of infrastructure. This genocide, as recently labelled at the International Court of Justice by South Africa, has exacerbated the already dire humanitarian situation in Gaza, impacting the lives of its residents significantly. At least nine total communication blackouts in Gaza were reported by Al Jazeera, the New York Times, and even local journalists through their social media platforms. While some were due to fuel and electricity shortages, the main cause was the strategic bombardment and destruction of the main network and telecommunication infrastructure by the Israeli military.
Hi from Gaza.
— Hind Khoudary (@Hind_Gaza) January 26, 2024
The internet has been restored after more the 10 days of blackout.
It feels weird having internet tbh 😅
Post on the situation of internet in Gaza by Hind Khoudary on X
This strategy serves not only as a means to enforce a blockade but also as a tactic in psychological warfare, aiming to isolate the people of Gaza from the outside world. Such actions also have broader implications for emergency services, healthcare, and the overall well-being of people. Gaza’s telecommunication landscape is considered a lifeline in times of tragedy and has faced unprecedented challenges over the years. Nevertheless, despite all odds, the people of Gaza have persisted, challenging the occupation’s efforts to disconnect them from the outside world.
The telecommunication landscape in Gaza
In Gaza, the primary telecommunication providers are Jawwal, the mobile operator of Paltel Group, and Oredoo. The network connections to telecommunication towers are provided by fiber optic cable. The occupying state of Israel controls all digital infrastructure in Gaza and in broader Palestine, including the use of mobile devices and access to the internet. As such, they can cause disruptions to telecommunication and internet services at any time. Israel’s occupation and forced control of Palestinian information and communication infrastructure have notably restricted its development and enabled mass surveillance while violating Palestinian digital rights. Their ability to do so is rooted in political agreements, particularly the Oslo Accords, and has profound implications for the telecommunications landscape in Palestinian territories. The Director of Jawwal Network in Gaza and telecommunication engineer Osama Taha tells Al Rawiya that although network signals from Israel and Egypt can easily be picked up in Gaza, “Israel does not allow the Palestinian network providers to use the roaming services to pick up such signals.”
Photo by Fré Sonneveld on Unsplash
For decades, Israeli occupation forces have restricted Palestinians’ access to technology and network frequencies. This has led to slower internet speeds and limited access to advanced mobile network technologies like 3G or 4G in Palestinian areas. The maximum mobile network service available in the West Bank is currently limited to 3G, while in Gaza, the highest level of service accessible is 2G.
In a conversation with Osama, he confirmed that the Israeli military has strategically destroyed the central or primary communication towers in Gaza that serve as main hubs for transmitting and receiving signals to local towers. These network providers face immense challenges in maintaining and upgrading their services amidst the ongoing war and restrictions. “To repair the damage and restore the connection, the network providers have to coordinate with the Israeli government,” says Osama.
When we say they cut off telecommunications, we don’t mean they flipped a switch. We mean they completely destroyed the cables and cell towers!!
— Mohammed El-Kurd (@m7mdkurd) October 27, 2023
Post by Mohammed El Kurd on X.
However, it is never guaranteed that they won’t be attacked. Since the beginning of the war, Osama confirmed that 19 technical staff have been killed by Israeli operations while on duty. In a recent article, the Washington Post reported that at least 15 telecommunication employees have been killed since the war started on October 7.
Despite these adversities, the telecom sector in Gaza has shown remarkable resilience, adapting to the ever-changing landscape with innovative solutions and a determination to keep the region connected to the outside world. The situation underscores the complex interplay of technology, conflict, and human rights in a region marked by prolonged strife and geopolitical tensions.
Innovative telecommunications solutions in Gaza
In this devastating war, the resilient people of Gaza have adopted innovative communication methods, infusing some hope into the fabric of their daily lives. These methods of connection go beyond means of staying in touch: they symbolize their refusal to be subdued by the harsh conditions of the occupation. “More than just a lifeline, these methods are beacons of hope for their loved ones, reassuring them of their survival,” said Rami Ghandour, a resident of Sydney, Australia, and Fawzi Fayad, a telecom engineer based in Spain– both of whom have many family members back in Gaza.
Credit recharge from the West Bank – the power of solidarity
While network connections were still active in Gaza despite the challenges, Youssef Alreemawi, the founder and director of The Australian Society for Palestinian-Iraqi Refugees Emergency(ASPIRE), an Australian non-profit organization, recounts a remarkable display of solidarity. ASPIRE has been providing language, legal, and financial support to Palestinian families impacted by conflicts. Alreemawi shares stories of West Bank residents transferring mobile credits via SMS to their Gazan family and friends.
This initiative was started by an Australian Palestinian, Darine, originally from the West Bank, but who was unable to reach some family members living in Gaza. Darine requested her family in the West Bank to share credits with their family in Gaza, and the initiative grew from there with the help of ASPIRE, connecting at least 500 people, as reported by Alreemawi. Alreemawi tells Al Rawiya: “People in the West Bank are donating out of their pockets to these mobile credits and asking the donations be used for more cases that are in need.” This gesture is not only practical but deeply symbolic, demonstrating the unbreakable bond among Palestinians despite the geographical and political divisions imposed by the Israeli occupation and the blockade in Gaza. It is a simple yet profound act of unity and resistance.
eSIM technology – a ray of hope
The adoption of eSIM technology marks a significant breakthrough in connecting the people of Gaza. eSIM is the digital version of the traditional SIM cards that are used in mobile devices. Egyptian author Mirna El Helbawi and IT expert Omar Al Massru have championed this initiative, helping over 10,000 people in Gaza stay connected. Their efforts, supported by global donors, have provided a digital lifeline, allowing the people of Gaza to connect to regional networks in Egypt and Israel in the absence of destroyed local telecommunication networks and infrastructure. This has been crucial in having access to communication with medical and emergency services as well as with family members inside Gaza and abroad.
Looks like @simlyapp is running a campaign to provide people in Gaza with free eSIMs.
— Fatima (@fatimazsaid) October 28, 2023
They currently have thousands of free eSIMs they can offer as so many people have purchased eSIMs for people in Gaza. pic.twitter.com/Yhws3m04k9
The introduction of eSIMs has offered a novel solution for connectivity in Gaza. Yet, this approach is not without its challenges, particularly concerning security and reliability concerns due to reliance on external networks. Osama from Jawwal highlights that “eSIMs are effective predominantly in areas with adequate coverage from Israeli or Egyptian networks”, such as Rafah in the south of Gaza and areas adjacent to Israel. In contrast, areas like northern Gaza, which has experienced significant war devastation, and central Gaza, struggle with reliable text messaging through the eSIMs.
Although eSIMs provide numerous benefits, they also present several security risks, including the possibility of user identity being compromised, connecting to unauthorized networks, and vulnerability to spoofing attacks. They also underscore a digital divide: not everyone can access this technology as not all mobile devices are compatible with it. Moreover, the activation process for eSIMs is complex and, when compounded by the stressful circumstances under which they are often activated, can lead to a high rate of invalidation, rendering many eSIMs unusable.
Satellite communication: an inevitable risk
In Gaza, particularly among international media outlets, and for some individuals, there is some capacity to use satellite communication through Inmarsat – a network of satellites providing mobile satellite network coverage across the world. However, the number of devices the Israeli government approves for this purpose is limited. Utilizing these devices poses significant risks, as the Israeli military has been known to target individuals connecting to satellites. For example, journalists Hamza Dahdouh and Mostafa Thuraya were tragically targeted while in their vehicle, despite media outlets routinely coordinating with the Israeli government to declare their broadcasting locations and having clear signs that they are press. This situation underscores the hazardous conditions faced by those in Gaza who seek to connect with the wider world. Despite their efforts to utilize technology and communication as a lifeline, they confront extreme dangers, with no guaranteed haven.
A heartbreaking news: Our friend Hamza, the son of journalist Wael Al-Dahdouh, and journalist Mustafa Al-Thurya, were martyred after their car was targeted in the city of Rafah. Despite the military's claim that Rafah is a secure area!
— Ahmed El-Madhoun (@madhoun95) January 7, 2024
This is a direct targeting and killing of… pic.twitter.com/mWoYVxD0c3
News on the targeting and killing of journalists Hamza Dahdouh and Mustafa Al Thurayya on January 7, 2024. Post by Ahmed el Madhoun on X
Envisioning a sustainable telecom future
Amidst the daily horror unfolding in Gaza, eSIM technology emerges as a vital lifeline, offering Gazans a precious window to the outside world, relatively unobstructed by the occupying forces. To enhance this connection, a promising avenue lies in harnessing stronger signals from Egyptian network providers, potentially casting a wider net of connectivity across more areas in Gaza.
Moreover, the deployment of mobile network stations proposed by Vodafone Egypt and the potential enabling of Starlink satellite capabilities offer a groundbreaking solution. These stations could improve eSIM coverage and compensate for the damaged network towers. Although this strategy has been proposed and initially agreed upon, it awaits its hour in the sun under the mercy of the occupying state of Israel’s approval. Implementing these innovative measures holds the potential to enhance communication and spearhead humanitarian aid efforts, ultimately contributing to a future where Gaza not only survives but starts to heal.
Defiant hope
In the shadow of a 17-year siege and the horrors of the relentless wars that have scarred this land, including the current war that has tragically claimed over 30,000 precious lives, displaced more than half of Gaza’s population, and caused devastating destruction, the hope of the Palestinian people shines like a beacon in the darkness.
Despite the heart-wrenching suffering and the near-total devastation of hospitals and communication networks, the people of Gaza, and indeed all Palestinians, exhibit a remarkable resilience that defies comprehension. They stand as living testament to the enduring human spirit, teaching the world profound lessons in humanity, unwavering determination, courage, and an unyielding love for their homeland.
In the face of unimaginable adversity, they exemplify the power of unity, risking their lives to extend a helping hand to one another, maintain a fragile connection to the outside world, and convey a resounding message to humanity: ‘We are alive. We will not be broken.’ The journey of the Gazans is a perfect reminder of the endless reserves of strength and unity that lie within us. In Gaza, every act of compassion, every heartbeat, every connection and rebuilding in the face of occupation and destruction is a victory. It is a victory for all of us who believe in their rightful belonging to their homeland.
Fatima Hoblos
Fatima Hoblos is a renowned Lebanese-Australian community activist, widely recognized for her dynamic activism in Australia and her passionate advocacy for critical issues in the Middle East. Her activism reflects a search for ‘home’ and her profound connection to her roots. She is an expert in Artificial Intelligence and Cyber Security. Born in Lebanon and based in Australia, she has recently earned her Master's degree in Artificial Intelligence with Distinction. Her research is primarily centered on leveraging machine learning techniques for text classification, especially in the context of discrimination.
