In the conflict-ridden Gaza Strip, freelancing has become more than a job—it’s a lifeline. For individuals like Farida Adel, a dedicated English teacher and translator, freelancing provides both a source of income and a means of survival. But this isn’t without its challenges, as unreliable internet, limited electricity, and personal safety concerns make remote work particularly arduous. Despite these obstacles, freelancers like Adel demonstrate resilience as they navigate the difficulties of maintaining work-life amid uncertainty.
Adel’s daily routine involves teaching in a makeshift classroom and working out of a transformed café-turned-co-working space in Deir Al-Balah. Here, alongside about 50 other freelancers, she battles connectivity issues while delivering translation services through platforms like Upwork. For Adel, freelancing offers a rare opportunity in an environment where conventional jobs have dwindled due to economic restrictions and constant bombardment. Earning around $200 a month, she relies on her freelancing income to make ends meet, with fees and exchange rates consuming a significant portion.
Reflecting on her situation, Adel says, “Everything around us is devastation. Freelancing is one of the few ways we can support ourselves.” She, like many others, has been left with limited job options due to Gaza’s 17-year land and sea blockade. With recent escalations, nearly all traditional jobs have been wiped out, compelling approximately 12,000 Gazans to turn to online freelance platforms as a primary income source, according to UN estimates.
In addition to economic barriers, infrastructure challenges amplify the hardships. Power cuts are frequent, and internet stability is almost nonexistent, which poses significant obstacles for those working remotely. Even when freelancers like Adel can access the internet, they face the constant threat of airstrikes. “Gaza’s workers live under the fear of airstrikes,” says Adel, who has lost family members in the conflict. Despite the risks, she persists, determined to continue her work.
The Resilience Behind Gaza’s Freelance Workforce
For many in Gaza, freelancing is more than a financial lifeline; it’s a way to maintain psychological well-being amid the daily threats to safety. Waleed Iky, a young entrepreneur in digital marketing, manages his freelancing clients cautiously. Sometimes he chooses not to disclose his location, fearing clients might see his Gaza residence as a liability. For Iky, the decision to work under such conditions is challenging yet essential for his mental health. “It’s better to keep working than to sit at home waiting for the next bomb,” he shares. Freelancing brings a sense of normalcy, despite its hazards, which makes him feel “more alive.”
The logistics, however, are daunting. Access to internet and electricity is limited, and resources are rationed to ensure freelancers can stay connected. An hour of laptop charging provides Iky four to five hours of work, and he takes every chance to update clients despite Gaza’s persistent connectivity issues. However, even as they persevere, Gaza’s freelancers struggle to access their earnings, with high fees from exchange shops taking 15-30% and a lack of digital payment options such as PayPal making the process complex.
Creating Opportunities Amid Limited Resources
Hope Hub, an organization that has provided a lifeline to over 1,300 freelancers and students, has set up flexible workspaces across Gaza. Founded by Salah Ahmad, a Gazan entrepreneur, Hope Hub operates as a rare free workspace. Initially launched in Rafah in early 2024, Hope Hub has since expanded to Egypt and Lebanon. With the demand for safe work environments growing, Hope Hub offers daily four-hour shifts, allowing workers and students to access internet and electricity.
Ahmad’s journey with Hope Hub started from scratch after his previous co-working space was destroyed. “We are trying to survive,” he says, emphasizing the importance of purpose and community in Gaza. Ahmad, along with his co-founder, used solar panels to power the space and secured internet connections through local providers despite significant challenges.
Hope Hub’s co-working spaces operate on a tight schedule due to limited resources, with each day divided into shifts to accommodate freelancers and students. Even though they now have faster internet than most, the threat of outages looms as winter approaches, potentially diminishing the effectiveness of solar panels.
Education and Future Prospects for Gaza’s Youth
The young people of Gaza, such as Othman Shbier, face a unique set of challenges in their pursuit of education. Shbier, a computer science student, walks two hours daily to attend classes online at Hope Hub. For him, freelancing and remote studies represent the only path to financial independence and professional growth in Gaza. “Life has to continue,” he says, echoing the determination shared by many young Gazans.
In areas where no co-working spaces exist, students have adapted to using “street internet,” a makeshift hotspot that can be accessed in public areas. Students huddle together, risking exposure to airstrikes to complete their assignments and stay connected with their instructors and peers.
For students like Aya Esam, a dental student, completing education feels like an unreachable goal. Due to safety concerns, in-person clinics have been postponed indefinitely. The lack of available training locations has forced Esam to rethink her future, as her dreams of a medical career are now fraught with uncertainty. “It’s hard to be a big dreamer in Gaza,” she laments, frustrated that circumstances beyond her control threaten to stall her aspirations.
Freelancing as a Path to Resilience and Hope
For the next generation of Gazans, freelancing and remote education provide a fragile yet vital link to the outside world. Freelancers and students are eager to harness the power of digital skills, aiming to create sustainable livelihoods. Adel, who also teaches English in a community tent, recognizes the importance of these skills for her students. She emphasizes how English proficiency, along with freelancing knowledge, can help them appeal to a global audience for support.
Hope Hub remains a beacon of resilience for Gaza’s workforce and youth. Amidst the challenges, Adel and other freelancers embody a spirit of perseverance. “We are teaching the world what resilience means,” she says proudly.
In Gaza, where circumstances make traditional employment nearly impossible, freelancing shines as a powerful tool for economic and psychological empowerment. It provides a way to earn a living and, perhaps more importantly, a way to sustain hope in a place where dreams are often interrupted but never forgotten.
