Rising from the rubble: A Gaza tech incubator defies Israel’s war

Source Domain: www.aljazeera.com

The devastating fallout of Israel’s genocidal war on the Gaza Strip has extended far beyond the destruction of homes and basic services. More than two and a half years of violence have obliterated Gaza’s economy – including the technology and entrepreneurship sector, a vital lifeline that once provided thousands of graduates with a window of hope amid mass unemployment and Israel’s years-long blockade.

Among the hardest-hit institutions is the UCAS Technology Incubator, affiliated with the University College of Applied Sciences (UCAS) in the Tal al-Hawa neighbourhood of southwestern Gaza City. Once a vibrant hub for innovation and startups, its headquarters and facilities were reduced to rubble in August 2024 after Israeli attacks targeted the college.

A hub of innovation destroyed

Abdallah al-Tahrawi, director of the UCAS Technology Incubator, told Al Jazeera that the centre was established 13 years ago to invest in Palestinian youth and foster a culture of innovation and entrepreneurship to support economic development.

The incubator – the name given to organisations that foster tech startups and entrepreneurs – has supported more than 500 young tech professionals and hosted dozens of projects focused on information technology, food manufacturing, commerce, and creative industries.

Palestine Tower, once a prominent hub for tech companies in the Gaza Strip, stands in ruins after being destroyed during the Israeli war on the Palestinian enclave [Eyad Al-Qatrawi/Al Jazeera]

Prior to the war, the incubator boasted 13 specialised facilities, including training halls, media production studios, and co-working spaces, funded by grants, including from the European Union, Qatar, and the Arab Fund for Economic and Social Development.

UCAS then provided grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to help young people establish or develop startups, and hosted unique initiatives like “Insaf”, an incubator aimed at developing…

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