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.Recommended Stories list of 3 itemsend of listA hub of innovation destroyedAbdallah 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. Advertisement UCAS then provided grants ranging from $5,000 to $10,000 to help young people es …
