The premium iPhone 17 Pro is gaining unexpected traction in Gaza despite the ongoing conflict, widespread homelessness, and severe shortages of essential supplies. While many residents struggle to secure food and shelter, these high-end smartphones have become increasingly common within the war-torn enclave.
Contrasting Realities: Luxury Smartphones Amid Devastation
Available in Gaza for several months now, the iPhone 17 Pro has stirred debate about priorities in a region grappling with significant humanitarian challenges. According to a report by the UAE newspaper The National, some Palestinians question the focus on importing luxury devices rather than urgently needed food and construction materials. The small size of phones like the iPhone 17 Pro makes them easier to smuggle into the Strip compared to bulkier essentials such as baby formula and building supplies.
NBC News highlighted the stark juxtaposition of seeing people who are homeless, malnourished, and unemployed possessing such costly phones. In Gaza, smartphone prices are exorbitant—often ten times higher than in other regions—with even lower-end models priced as high as 5,000 shekels (approximately $1,500). Construction worker Samir Kamal Awad Abou Dakaa poignantly expressed his frustration: “We cannot even afford food — how are we supposed to afford phones?”
Security Concerns and Cellular Restrictions
Concerns also revolve around the implications of allowing foreign smartphones into Gaza. Journalist Hamza Al Shobaki noted Israel’s history of surveillance and questioned the decision to permit devices not allowed even before the recent conflict.
Adding complexity, Gaza's cellular network remains limited to 2G service. Israel maintains control over the telecommunications infrastructure, restricting faster connections such as 3G, 4G, and 5G. Despite these limitations, smartphones remain vital tools for residents. Mona Jebril, a research fellow at the University of Cambridge, explains that mobile phones serve critical roles in emergency communication, education, and staying connected with family across the region.
Smartphone Demand and Social Significance
The reopening of official channels for mobile phone imports after a two-year ban has boosted the availability and demand for smartphones like the iPhone 17 Pro. The devices convey status to some users and act as essential resources for others. Stores such as Tabia, operating out of makeshift tent structures following bombings, stock a range of devices from budget-friendly models like Xiaomi’s Redmi A5 and POCO C71 to the high-end iPhone 17 Pro.
Economist Farid Kabalan from Khan Younis described mobile phones as “the only device that conveys the truth to the world,” emphasizing their symbolic and practical importance amid the crisis.
Mixed Feelings and Lingering Fears
Residents such as 20-year-old Mohaned Ahmed Abdel Khafour rely heavily on their phones for everyday activities including reading and work. However, not everyone in Gaza embraces mobile technology fully. The traumatic mass pager explosions in Lebanon in 2024 have left many wary of electronic devices. Tania Hary, executive director of the Israeli human rights group Gisha, remarked, “After what happened with the pagers, I personally wouldn’t go anywhere near those phones either.”
