Gaza Unemployment Hits 80 Percent Two Years After War Began

Rawan al-Jabali completed a degree in English language and literature with a focus on translation at the Islamic University of Gaza two years ago and has remained unemployed since. She now searches for jobs from a camp for displaced people in Nuseirat after moving there with her family from northern Gaza.

Mohammed al-Khudari finished an engineering degree at the same university and has also found no work since graduation.

He spends hours each day browsing listings on his phone despite weak internet and electricity shortages, and has applied for positions in cafes, restaurants and cleaning services. Al Jazeera reported that 80 percent of Palestinians in Gaza were without a job as of July 2026, according to the Government Media Office.

The poverty rate exceeded 93 percent, and Gaza's gross domestic product contracted more than 82 percent due to the war that began in October 2023.

An Israeli blockade imposed since 2007 had already created deep problems in the labour market before the war, Palestinian economic expert Mohammed Abu Jeiab said. The conflict compounded those issues, leaving about 80 percent of the population dependent on international humanitarian aid.

Abu Jeiab stated that a comprehensive plan is needed, including reconstruction, support for small businesses, investment in technology and remote work, alignment of university education with labour market needs, expanded paid training programmes, and a stable environment for local and foreign investment.

Mohammed al-Buheisi opened the Peace Work Space in Deir el-Balah in February 2024 to give displaced students and graduates access to reliable electricity and internet. The centre expanded from about 10 people to about 80 people, even as prices for solar panels more than doubled.