The war in Gaza continues unabated, leaving behind massive losses of life, and infrastructure damage and forcing displacements of unprecedented scale. The international community has been unable to halt the ongoing bloodshed and destruction. The suffering of the people in Gaza persists as their society is systematically dismantled. As Francesca Albanese, the UN Special Rapporteur, has stated: “There are reasonable grounds to believe that the threshold for the crime of genocide has been met.” At SPARK, we are heartbroken and deeply shocked by the extent of devastation and the severe toll it has taken on Gaza’s already fragile economy, infrastructure, and, most importantly, its people. This humanitarian crisis is also a development crisis. This war comes with huge and compounding costs to all Palestinians, now and in the near and long future.

“As we mourn the loss of so many Gazans and the destruction of family homes, mosques, universities, hospitals and businesses, we remain steadfast in our commitment to Gaza and its people, who are living in the most challenging and dire conditions. However, until a ceasefire is achieved, efforts to revive Gaza’s education and entrepreneurial sectors remain unattainable. In the meantime, SPARK along with its partners, are doing everything we can to be prepared for the moment a permanent ceasefire is in place,” says Simon van Melick, SPARK’s CEO.

SPARK in Gaza

Since 2011, SPARK, alongside its partners, has worked in Gaza to build a future through education, job creation, and entrepreneurship. Today, we have lost contact with many of our students, participants, and partners. However, we continue to reach out to those we can, striving to understand their current circumstances and needs. All SPARK programmes—whether focused on scholarships, skills development, or startup support—have been brought to a standstill. The startups we once nurtured, representing hope and progress, have now been reduced to rubble. This is not just a crisis of statistics, it is the destruction of dreams, futures, and entire generations.

Now, a year later, the war shows no sign of stopping. After a year of relentless destruction, those who were building their futures through education and entrepreneurship are left with nothing but uncertainty. Their ambitions, once filled with hope, have been shattered alongside their surroundings. Our work, along with the dreams of those we’ve supported, hangs in the balance.

The question on everyone’s mind is: How can Gaza rebuild? While this is crucial, it feels premature without an immediate and lasting ceasefire. SPARK joins the international community in demanding an end to Palestinian suffering. It is impossible to rebuild lives, livelihoods, or infrastructure amid ongoing violence.

Early recovery

Through close consultation with our partners in Gaza and international donors, SPARK is laying the groundwork for both immediate and long-term economic recovery. In the short term, we are focusing on supporting home-based and micro-businesses, strengthening supply and value chains to ensure the availability of essential goods like food and basic commodities—critical contributions to the ongoing humanitarian response.

Acknowledging the acute shortage of skilled workers, especially in healthcare, education, and food production, we are committed to expanding access to education through online platforms, short courses, on-the-job training, and improved connectivity to swiftly address these pressing needs.

Looking ahead, our medium- to long-term strategy centres on high-growth sectors like agribusiness and digital technology. By revitalising agribusiness, we aim to boost local food production and address the structural challenges of food security in Gaza. Simultaneously, we are tapping into the potential of the tech sector to drive economic recovery, with a particular focus on creating remote work and freelancing opportunities.

Act Now

The world cannot continue to ignore the gravity of this situation, whether in Gaza or the West Bank. As the killing continues, the vast majority of Gazans are without shelter and face severe food insecurity. While global leaders issue statements, real action must follow. To end the war, secure a permanent ceasefire, and plan for the future of Gaza, and Palestine as a whole. We must resist becoming desensitised to this crisis or turning a blind eye. The international community must intensify its efforts and keep putting the spotlight back on Gaza and on what the international community can do.