Grassroots solutions emerge to overcome the digital divide
In the face of persistent internet disruptions and telecommunications blackouts, the people of Gaza have demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in developing a grassroots solution to maintain vital connections. Dubbed the “network tree,” this ingeniously simple technology utilizes basic tools like buckets, smartphones, and eSIMs to provide much-needed connectivity to a community fragmented by war and damaged infrastructure.
The ongoing communication crisis in Gaza has been a significant hindrance to daily interactions and critical operations. Repeated blackouts and targeted attacks on infrastructure have further isolated Gazans from the outside world, cutting them off from essential services and social ties. As the United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA) reported in June 2024, “it is becoming increasingly difficult to communicate with humanitarian personnel on the ground.”
Grassroots ingenuity takes root
In the face of this digital divide, a group of determined individuals, including renowned Italian filmmaker Manolo Luppichini, collaborated with the Italian NGO Associazione di Cooperazione e Solidarietà (ACS) to develop a solution. Together, they created the “Network of Web Trees,” a system that leverages the latest mobile technology to establish Wi-Fi hotspots capable of transmitting signals across the border.
“We sent the Web-Gardeners money and they managed to buy these items on Gaza’s black market. Our technical team outside Gaza worked with the Web-Gardeners inside Gaza, exchanging photos and messages for feedback. It was a collaboration between people from Italy and Gaza,” explained Luppichini.
The key to the “Web-Trees” lies in the use of eSIM (embedded SIM) technology, which allows mobile phones to function as traditional SIM cards without the need for a physical card. By activating eSIMs with access codes sent remotely, the system enables connections to Egyptian or Israeli cellular networks, providing a workaround for the restricted access within Gaza.
“The Web-Trees are grown by local ‘Web-Gardeners.’ We sent the Web-Gardeners money and they managed to buy these items on Gaza’s black market. Our technical team outside Gaza worked with the Web-Gardeners inside Gaza, exchanging photos and messages for feedback. It was a collaboration between people from Italy and Gaza,” Luppichini elaborated.
Elevating the signal with “the bucket”
While the “Web-Trees” provide a vital link to the outside world, navigating the physical landscape of Gaza presents its own set of challenges. In areas with poor cellular reception, residents have had to resort to creative solutions to catch a signal from across the border.
“Open areas near beaches typically have clear reception without obstacles. However, in other regions, to catch a signal from across the border, people have to climb to higher positions like rooftops. This can be dangerous because those bloody drones target anyone they detect,” Luppichini explained.
To address this, a team member named Ali devised a clever solution he calls “the bucket.” By placing the mobile phone with a power bank inside a bucket and attaching it to a pole, residents can raise the setup like a flag, effectively elevating the device to a safer position without risking their own safety.
“Ali, the most experienced in the Web-Gardeners team came up with a very funny solution that has become emblematic of how ingenious Gazzawi people can be. He created what he calls ‘the bucket.’ Essentially, they place the mobile phone with a power bank inside a bucket and attach it to a pole and raise it like a flag using a rope. This setup allows the phone to connect to and spread the signal from a safer, elevated position without anyone having to physically be up high,” Luppichini recounted.
Maintaining community bonds in the face of crisis
The impact of the “network tree” extends beyond just providing connectivity. For the people of Gaza, it serves as a vital lifeline, allowing them to maintain social bonds and access crucial information during a time of crisis and isolation.
“The real impact of internet disruptions is felt by ordinary Gazzawis. They are left without knowledge of what’s happening with their neighbors or relatives, potentially just 500 meters away, due to movement restrictions or the risk of being shot. This grassroots movement is Luppichini and his team’s effort not only to maintain critical social bonds, but also serves as a form of resistance against cultural genocide,” the article from Global Voices explains.
By keeping Palestinians in Gaza connected to each other and the outside world, the “network tree” project plays a crucial role in combating the ongoing cultural and physical isolation imposed by the conflict. As the article notes, “Genocide involves not only physical destruction but also cultural erasure, disconnecting people from their cultural and physical references. Thus, keeping Palestinians in Gaza connected among themselves is crucial to combating the ongoing genocide.”
Circumventing global double standards
The success of the “network tree” project also highlights the glaring double standards in the international community’s response to communication disruptions in different conflict zones. While the world has rallied to support Ukraine’s internet connectivity during the Russian invasion, the same level of attention and resources have not been directed towards addressing the communication crisis in Gaza.
“This is simply a grassroots operation that not only connects people to the outside world but also connects people within the community itself. This connection is crucial for maintaining community bonds. It is also one solution in the face of global double standards that mobilized solutions in Ukraine, but failed to do so in Gaza,” the Global Voices article notes.
By leveraging their technical skills and a collaborative approach, the team behind the “network tree” project has demonstrated the power of grassroots innovation to overcome the challenges posed by digital authoritarianism and communication blockades. Their story serves as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the Gazan people in the face of ongoing oppression and isolation.
Overcoming the communication crisis through grassroots solutions
The persistent internet disruptions and telecommunication blackouts in Gaza have had a devastating impact on the daily lives of its residents, hindering access to essential services, social connections, and the documentation of human rights violations. In the face of this digital divide, a group of determined individuals, including renowned Italian filmmaker Manolo Luppichini, have collaborated with the Italian NGO Associazione di Cooperazione e Solidarietà (ACS) to develop an ingenious grassroots solution – the “Network of Web Trees.”
Leveraging eSIM technology
At the heart of the “Web-Trees” is the use of eSIM (embedded SIM) technology, which allows mobile phones to function as traditional SIM cards without the need for a physical card. By activating eSIMs with access codes sent remotely, the system enables connections to Egyptian or Israeli cellular networks, providing a workaround for the restricted access within Gaza.
“The Web-Trees are grown by local ‘Web-Gardeners.’ We sent the Web-Gardeners money and they managed to buy these items on Gaza’s black market. Our technical team outside Gaza worked with the Web-Gardeners inside Gaza, exchanging photos and messages for feedback. It was a collaboration between people from Italy and Gaza,” Luppichini explained.
Overcoming physical obstacles with “the bucket”
While the “Web-Trees” provide a vital link to the outside world, navigating the physical landscape of Gaza presents its own set of challenges. In areas with poor cellular reception, residents have had to resort to creative solutions to catch a signal from across the border.
Enter “the bucket” – a clever solution devised by a team member named Ali. By placing the mobile phone with a power bank inside a bucket and attaching it to a pole, residents can raise the setup like a flag, effectively elevating the device to a safer position without risking their own safety.
“Ali, the most experienced in the Web-Gardeners team came up with a very funny solution that has become emblematic of how ingenious Gazzawi people can be. He created what he calls ‘the bucket.’ Essentially, they place the mobile phone with a power bank inside a bucket and attach it to a pole and raise it like a flag using a rope. This setup allows the phone to connect to and spread the signal from a safer, elevated position without anyone having to physically be up high,” Luppichini recounted.
Maintaining community bonds and resisting cultural genocide
The impact of the “network tree” extends beyond just providing connectivity. For the people of Gaza, it serves as a vital lifeline, allowing them to maintain social bonds and access crucial information during a time of crisis and isolation.
“The real impact of internet disruptions is felt by ordinary Gazzawis. They are left without knowledge of what’s happening with their neighbors or relatives, potentially just 500 meters away, due to movement restrictions or the risk of being shot. This grassroots movement is Luppichini and his team’s effort not only to maintain critical social bonds, but also serves as a form of resistance against cultural genocide,” the article from Global Voices explains.
By keeping Palestinians in Gaza connected to each other and the outside world, the “network tree” project plays a crucial role in combating the ongoing cultural and physical isolation imposed by the conflict.
Addressing global double standards
The success of the “network tree” project also highlights the glaring double standards in the international community’s response to communication disruptions in different conflict zones. While the world has rallied to support Ukraine’s internet connectivity during the Russian invasion, the same level of attention and resources have not been directed towards addressing the communication crisis in Gaza.
“This is simply a grassroots operation that not only connects people to the outside world but also connects people within the community itself. This connection is crucial for maintaining community bonds. It is also one solution in the face of global double standards that mobilized solutions in Ukraine, but failed to do so in Gaza,” the Global Voices article notes.
Grassroots innovation triumphs
By leveraging their technical skills and a collaborative approach, the team behind the “network tree” project has demonstrated the power of grassroots innovation to overcome the challenges posed by digital authoritarianism and communication blockades. Their story serves as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the Gazan people in the face of ongoing oppression and isolation.
As the world grapples with the increasing use of technology to maintain power and control, the “network tree” project offers a glimpse of hope, showcasing how determined individuals can come together to defy the digital divide and reclaim their fundamental right to communication and connection.
The power of grassroots solutions in the face of digital oppression
In the face of persistent internet disruptions and telecommunications blackouts, the people of Gaza have demonstrated remarkable ingenuity in developing a grassroots solution to maintain vital connections. Dubbed the “network tree,” this ingeniously simple technology utilizes basic tools like buckets, smartphones, and eSIMs to provide much-needed connectivity to a community fragmented by war and damaged infrastructure.
Leveraging eSIM technology for cross-border access
At the heart of the “Web-Trees” is the use of eSIM (embedded SIM) technology, which allows mobile phones to function as traditional SIM cards without the need for a physical card. By activating eSIMs with access codes sent remotely, the system enables connections to Egyptian or Israeli cellular networks, providing a workaround for the restricted access within Gaza.
“The Web-Trees are grown by local ‘Web-Gardeners.’ We sent the Web-Gardeners money and they managed to buy these items on Gaza’s black market. Our technical team outside Gaza worked with the Web-Gardeners inside Gaza, exchanging photos and messages for feedback. It was a collaboration between people from Italy and Gaza,” explained Manolo Luppichini, the renowned Italian filmmaker involved in the project.
Overcoming physical obstacles with “the bucket”
While the “Web-Trees” provide a vital link to the outside world, navigating the physical landscape of Gaza presents its own set of challenges. In areas with poor cellular reception, residents have had to resort to creative solutions to catch a signal from across the border.
Enter “the bucket” – a clever solution devised by a team member named Ali. By placing the mobile phone with a power bank inside a bucket and attaching it to a pole, residents can raise the setup like a flag, effectively elevating the device to a safer position without risking their own safety.
“Ali, the most experienced in the Web-Gardeners team came up with a very funny solution that has become emblematic of how ingenious Gazzawi people can be. He created what he calls ‘the bucket.’ Essentially, they place the mobile phone with a power bank inside a bucket and attach it to a pole and raise it like a flag using a rope. This setup allows the phone to connect to and spread the signal from a safer, elevated position without anyone having to physically be up high,” Luppichini recounted.
Maintaining community bonds and resisting cultural genocide
The impact of the “network tree” extends beyond just providing connectivity. For the people of Gaza, it serves as a vital lifeline, allowing them to maintain social bonds and access crucial information during a time of crisis and isolation.
“The real impact of internet disruptions is felt by ordinary Gazzawis. They are left without knowledge of what’s happening with their neighbors or relatives, potentially just 500 meters away, due to movement restrictions or the risk of being shot. This grassroots movement is Luppichini and his team’s effort not only to maintain critical social bonds, but also serves as a form of resistance against cultural genocide,” the article from Global Voices explains.
By keeping Palestinians in Gaza connected to each other and the outside world, the “network tree” project plays a crucial role in combating the ongoing cultural and physical isolation imposed by the conflict.
Addressing global double standards
The success of the “network tree” project also highlights the glaring double standards in the international community’s response to communication disruptions in different conflict zones. While the world has rallied to support Ukraine’s internet connectivity during the Russian invasion, the same level of attention and resources have not been directed towards addressing the communication crisis in Gaza.
“This is simply a grassroots operation that not only connects people to the outside world but also connects people within the community itself. This connection is crucial for maintaining community bonds. It is also one solution in the face of global double standards that mobilized solutions in Ukraine, but failed to do so in Gaza,” the Global Voices article notes.
Grassroots innovation triumphs
By leveraging their technical skills and a collaborative approach, the team behind the “network tree” project has demonstrated the power of grassroots innovation to overcome the challenges posed by digital authoritarianism and communication blockades. Their story serves as a testament to the resilience and ingenuity of the Gazan people in the face of ongoing oppression and isolation.
As the world grapples with the increasing use of technology to maintain power and control, the “network tree” project offers a glimpse of hope, showcasing how determined individuals can come together to defy the digital divide and reclaim their fundamental right to communication and connection.
