“After struggling for years in university, we had dreams and ambitions to achieve what we longed for,” says al-Khawaja, “but after the war, all those dreams were destroyed and all lines of communication with our ambitions were cut.”
He, and many like him, have been forced to resort to the so-called “survival economy,” taking on jobs that are far below his aspirations as a young graduate, he told our media. UN News correspondent in the Gaza Strip.
From dreaming of a career to selling sweets
In the same market, Ayham al-Najjar, who once hoped for a career in accounting, works at a stall selling sweets and drinks to support his family.
“I dreamed of finishing my university studies, getting a job and building a decent life, but then the war came,” says al-Najjar. “I started working at a job to make a living.”
Mustafa Sallouh, another university graduate, sells cleaning supplies on the street after a drastic change in his circumstances.
“I dreamed of a life better than the current reality,” he says. “Due to war conditions, I now sell detergent to support myself and my family. We are living a life we never imagined.”
Mustafa Sadek, who sells stationery and educational books, has a similar story to tell. “My ambitions were very high,” he says.
“But we have lost three years of our lives and now we have to sit in a booth and thank God that we are still alive.”
The experiences of these young Palestinians reflect a deteriorating economic reality in the shattered enclave, where the unemployment rate has risen to more than 80 percent and much of the population is focused on meeting daily needs: according to data from the Palestinian Central Bureau of Statistics, the price of basic goods in the Gaza Strip increased by 37.9 percent during February 2026, further increasing pressure on families.
A joint United Nations-European Union report estimates Gaza’s recovery and reconstruction needs at $71.4 billion over 10 years, including $26.3 billion needed within 18 months to restore basic services, rebuild infrastructure and support the economy.
Gaza’s economy has shrunk by 84 percent, the report said, underscoring the depth of the crisis that has pushed thousands of graduates and workers into informal activities simply to survive.