NUSEIRAT — Gaza's university graduates, including Rawan al-Jabali and Mohammed al-Khudari, are seeking employment in survival jobs outside their academic fields due to economic conditions. The Government Media Office reported that 80 percent of Palestinians in Gaza are unemployed, and the poverty rate exceeds 93 percent.

Rawan al-Jabali, who earned a degree in English language and literature with a focus on translation from the Islamic University of Gaza two years prior to July 2026, relocated from northern Gaza to Nuseirat in central Gaza. "I studied translation because I believed I would have opportunities in this field, but after the war most of the institutions where I could work disappeared," al-Jabali said.

Mohammed al-Khudari, an engineering graduate from the Islamic University of Gaza, has applied for positions in cafes, restaurants, and cleaning services. "I started applying for jobs in different sectors such as cafes, restaurants and cleaning work, because the main goal has become securing an income that allows me to support myself and my family and build a new beginning," al-Khudari said. "Many graduates apply for any available job because circumstances push them to seek income rather than wait for a job related to their specialisation," he said. "I spend long hours searching for available job opportunities, and I face difficulty charging my phone or even staying connected to the internet, but I continue trying," he said.

Gaza's gross domestic product (GDP) contracted by more than 82 percent following the conflict that began in October 2023. More than 73,000 Palestinians have died in the conflict since October 2023. Approximately 80 percent of Gaza's population relies on international humanitarian aid. Palestinian economic expert Mohammed Abu Jeiab said, "This deterioration has led to serious economic and social consequences, including the erosion of human capital due to prolonged unemployment and skill loss, increased reliance on humanitarian aid instead of productive work, rising poverty rates, delayed social stability and the potential for increased emigration of skilled workers whenever possible opportunities arise."

In response to these conditions, Mohammed al-Buheisi founded the Peace Work Space in Deir el-Balah in February 2024. This initiative provides electricity and internet access to students and graduates. "We started with a small space that could only accommodate about 10 people, and gradually expanded to about 80 people today," al-Buheisi said. Prices for solar panels in Gaza have more than doubled. "Our goal has always been to provide a suitable environment that helps students and graduates continue their studies and work with the best available means," he said.