It took over 20 minutes and eight dropped WhatsApp calls to finally reach Farida Adel in Gaza. Internet service is unreliable in the territory, including in the makeshift co-working space in the city of Deir Al-Balah, where she and around 50 others work remotely.
Adel, an English teacher, divides her time between a tent classroom where she teaches for free and a table in a cafe turned workspace where she translates documents from Arabic to English. Other freelancers who were forcibly displaced to the central Gazan city could be seen working alongside her during the video call, all competing for the limited internet connection.
Adel spends six hours a day in the co-working space, completing assignments received via Upwork, a freelance work marketplace. It is one of three free workspaces set up by Hope Hub, an initiative that began in a tent in Rafah a few months into Israel’s assault on Gaza. She earns $200 a month, with Upwork taking 10% and currency exchange companies taking another 20 to 30%.
Adel, along with many others, has few options for work due to Israel’s 17-year blockade of Gaza limiting economic opportunities. At least 12,000 workers in the territory have turned to online freelance work for income, according to the UN. In the wake of Israel’s bombardment in October 2023, jobs in Gaza have become scarce, according to the International Labor Organization.
Gaza’s infrastructure has been decimated by a year of airstrikes, making it difficult for freelancers to access the two resources they depend on – a strong internet connection and reliable electricity. Internet service is slow or unstable, and electricity is intermittent.
Workers in Gaza face significant risks when they travel to co-working spaces or internet hotspots. Adel, who has lost 300 family members in the past year, expressed the constant fear of airstrikes that residents live with.
Before she could continue, Adel had to end the call abruptly as the city was being bombed, and everyone in the co-working space was instructed to evacuate. Despite her own uncertainty, Adel remained concerned for the safety of the children she taught.
Waleed Iky, an entrepreneur in Gaza, sometimes avoids mentioning his location to potential clients on freelancing platforms due to concerns about how it may affect his business. Iky, who started a marketing operation, faced disruptions to his work during the conflict in Gaza.
Despite the dangers of working in Gaza, Iky and other freelancers continue to work at Hope Hub, taking turns charging their laptops to conserve electricity. Many struggle to access their earnings and face challenges with clients who may not understand the difficulties they face.
Bank branches and ATMs have been destroyed, PayPal has ceased services to Palestinians in occupied territories, and currency exchange shops charge fees ranging from 15 to 30% based on demand. Iky, one of the few with a bank account, often delays withdrawing money to avoid high fees.
Unstable internet and airstrikes
Iky is among over 1,300 freelancers and students who have utilized Hope Hub’s flexible workspaces in Gaza, Egypt, and Lebanon since its launch in January 2024 by Salah Ahmad and Fady Issawi. Hope Hub, which operates during the war and is free to use, divides the day into four timed shifts to accommodate remote workers, freelancers, and students.
Ahmad, who had been working with freelancers since 2020, was displaced multiple times due to airstrikes destroying his workspace. He eventually started Hope Hub in a refugee camp to help others restart their companies or find distractions from the chaos of war.
Despite challenges, Ahmad and Issawi raised funds to expand Hope Hub and provide essential services like electricity and internet. The locations faced disruptions and damages due to ongoing conflicts, but the team persevered to support the community.
‘My right as a student is to complete my studies’
Othman Shbier, a student walking hours to access online classes at Hope Hub, reflects the determination of many in Gaza to pursue education and work despite the adversities. Students in areas without co-working spaces resort to makeshift solutions like street internet to continue their studies.
The uncertainty of graduation, job prospects, and safety weighs heavily on students like Shbier and Aya Esam, who face challenges in completing their education and pursuing careers in a conflict-ridden environment. Despite the obstacles, these individuals strive to achieve their goals and contribute to their communities. Solía tener un sueño sobre mi futuro. Para la generación futura de posibles científicos de la computación, médicos y freelancers, las aspiraciones han sido reemplazadas por preocupaciones sobre de dónde vendrá su próxima comida, dijo Adel. Para muchos de los 50 estudiantes que se amontonan en la carpa educativa que ha montado, aprender inglés es una cuestión de supervivencia. Quieren poder apelar a personas en el extranjero para que envíen comida o donen dinero, dijo. Aún así, no me rindo. “A pesar de todo, wallah, sigo encontrando formas de inspirar esperanza y resistencia no solo para mí, sino también para la comunidad que me rodea”, dijo Adel. “Enseñaremos al mundo lo que significa resistencia”.